Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

water and wastewater systems

Canada and New Brunswick invest in modern and efficient water and wastewater infrastructure in Northeastern New Brunswick

Canada and New Brunswick invest in modern and efficient water and wastewater infrastructure in Northeastern New Brunswick

From roads and buildings, to water and wastewater systems, reliable infrastructure is key to building stronger communities. Investments in safer and more efficient wastewater treatment helps keep our communities healthy, green and sustainable. Today, Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie—Bathurst, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Gary Crossman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation; Her Worship Kim Chamberlain, Mayor of the City of Bathurst, His Worship Edgar Aubé, Mayor of the Town of Beresford, and His Worship Maxime Lejeune, Mayor of Pointe-Verte, announced joint funding for improvements to water and wastewater infrastructure in three Northeastern New Brunswick communities.

Canadian legislation aims to improve infrastructure cybersecurity. Lobbying against cyberflashing. EPA urged to focus on protecting water system. Update: US Federal privacy legislation.

Canadian legislation aims to improve infrastructure cybersecurity. Lobbying against cyberflashing. EPA urged to focus on protecting water system. Update: US Federal privacy legislation.

Referring to US water and wastewater systems as the “weakest link” in the country’s critical infrastructure, water sector leaders on Wednesday urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to focus on better regulating the cybersecurity of these critical services. According to Mark Montgomery, executive director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, the EPA only has around $7 million in its annual budget dedicated to water sector cybersecurity, a far cry from the $45 million the Solarium Commission recommended the EPA earmark for the Office of Water. Nextgov.com explains that for the 2023 fiscal year, the EPA is requesting $4 billion for the water sector, and EPA Administrator Michael Regan told Congress that includes $50 million to support resiliency and sustainability initiatives, $25 million to improve cyber capabilities, and $35 million to provide technical assistance.

Federal, provincial and municipal funding partners invest in expanded water and wastewater systems in Three Rivers

Federal, provincial and municipal funding partners invest in expanded water and wastewater systems in Three Rivers

Investments in key infrastructure build strong and healthy communities across Canada. From roads and buildings – to water and wastewater systems – reliable infrastructure provides communities with opportunities to grow and develop today so that they are better prepared to overcome the challenges of tomorrow.

Canada and Saint John Airport Authority invest in Saint John Airport wastewater infrastructure, setting the stage for further development

Canada and Saint John Airport Authority invest in Saint John Airport wastewater infrastructure, setting the stage for further development

From roads and buildings, to water and wastewater systems – reliable infrastructure is key to building stronger communities. Investments in safer and more efficient wastewater treatment helps keep our communities healthy, green and sustainable. Today, Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John—Rothesay, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and Alexander (Sandy) Ross, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint John Airport Authority, announced funding for important upgrades to the Saint John Airport Wastewater Treatment Facility.

New investing orders should free Canada's Infrastructure Bank to spend

New investing orders should free Canada's Infrastructure Bank to spend

The head of a federal infrastructure agency says a new set of investing orders from the Liberal government should make it simpler to deploy more funding in the coming months. The recent federal budget added to the Canada Infrastructure Bank's plate by requiring it to now spend public dollars on private sector-led projects like small modular reactors, clean fuel production, and carbon capture and storage.

Canada and Ontario invest in 144 community water infrastructure projects

Canada and Ontario invest in 144 community water infrastructure projects

In Welland, this investment will support the installation of approximately 1,500 metres of watermain, along with seven new hydrants on Canal Bank Road. The improvements will help ensure that residents continue to have reliable access to clean drinking water. Roads and sidewalks impacted by work on this project will also be restored through this investment.

Federal government needs to up spending to give First Nations clean water, PBO says

Federal government needs to up spending to give First Nations clean water, PBO says

The parliamentary budget officer says the federal government would need to increase planned spending to provide clean drinking water in First Nations. Yves Giroux’s report this morning says the government has set aside enough money to build water and wastewater systems over the next five years. Where the government falls short is to help First Nations operate the systems, which Giroux’s office estimates would need $138 million more annually in federal funding.

Former Neskantaga contractor accused of cutting corners in other First Nations

Former Neskantaga contractor accused of cutting corners in other First Nations

“They cut corners every day, every day,” said Justin Gee, vice-president of First Nations Engineering Services Ltd. Gee said he encountered these recurring problems while overseeing the work of a construction firm, Kingdom Construction Limited (KCL), building a water treatment plant 10 years ago in Wasauksing First Nation, along the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, about 250 kilometres north of Toronto. “You have to be on them every step of the way,” said Gee, who was the contract administrator on the project. “You can’t leave them on their own.”

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