BC and Federal Governments invest in wastewater treatment program for Daajing Giids

A combined investment of 1.5 million dollars will be directed towards plans to improve compliance with regulatory wastewater requirements for the  Haida Gwaii community of Daajing Giids, with a joint announcement yesterday from the Provincial and Federal government.

The funding which was announced by Federal Minister Sean Fraser and BC's Anne Kang will support a planning and design initiative focused on enhancing the capacity for wastewater treatment and management in the Village. 

The project will bring the community into compliance with federal and provincial regulatory requirements, which will contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment. Once complete, the improved wastewater treatment will help protect the vital sea life that many depend on for nutrition, employment, or recreation.

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice observed on the safeguard for both marine life and people in the area.

“A healthy marine environment is an integral part of living on Haida Gwaii. These wastewater treatment upgrades will provide the community with a safeguard for both marine life and people, while contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.”  -- Jennifer Rice, Member of the Legislative Assembly for North Coast

While funding for Daajing Giids, means that officials on Haida Gwaii can begin moving forward on their infrastructure work, there is still no word on the funding application by the City of Prince Rupert for funding for the large scale replacement plans for the city's water infrastructure. 

On the Federal Infrastructure listings , the only Prince Rupert project currently noted as the federal funds to be directed to  the Submarine Waterline replacement program.

The city's water issues have played a significant role in the ongoing budget discussions of the last month, with Mayor Pond remaining hopeful through November of a positive federal announcement towards Prince Rupert's quest for 82 million dollars in federal grant funding.

The call for some indication of progress from the Feds towards the money was last issued on Parliament Hill in early October when Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach raised the topic with Minister Fraser during a committee session.

At the time, Mr. Fraser indicated that the process was still "playing out" close to two months later, it seems that bureaucratic process for Federal funding is more of a marathon jog, than a energy delivered sprint.

More notes from Legislature can be reviewed here.

Items of interest from Parliament Hill are available for review here.