Gananoque gets much-needed water infrastructure funding

The provincial government last week announced $5.77 million in water infrastructure funding which will help enable the construction of 416 new homes in Gananoque. 

Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark was joined Thursday by Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma and Gananoque Mayor John Beddows to announce the funding, which is being delivered through the first round of investments under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund. 

They were joined by local councillors David Osmond, Anne-Marie Koiner, Vicki Leaky, town staff and some residents and workers. 

The press conference took place at the corner of Stone Street and Ash Alley. 

The funding announced will support upgrades to the Gananoque East End Pumping Station, enabling the construction of 416 housing units in the town. 

“Behind us right now are men and women in vests,” said Beddows, pointing to the workers standing off into the background of Thursday’s presser. “They’re the people who actually do the work. This investment is going to mean they don’t have to stand in wet cold holes in the ground at 3 a.m. in January.” 

Clark said housing is a priority for the people the provincial government represents. 

“And I commend Mayor Beddows and the Town of Gananoque for their work on this project,” said Clark. 

By investing in drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and connecting pipes to land, municipalities can build more homes, Minister Surma added. 

“Homes can’t be built without connections to drinking water and wastewater,” Surma said. 

Beddows said Thursday’s announcement was proof of where provincial tax dollars go back to, and proof of Queen’s Park’s commitment to support housing construction across the province and in municipalities of every size. 

“The province doesn’t just take your taxes,” said Beddows. “It puts it where it’s needed. We needed it, we got it.”