News Release

NEW MARYLAND (GNB) – Provincial, federal and municipal officials announced funding today for four infrastructure projects across the province.

The projects include:

• Village of Plaster Rock – North Lagoon Decommissioning and Collector Sewer.

• Village of New Maryland – Sunrise Wellfield Development.

• Town of St. Stephen – Combined Sewer Separation and Utility Renewal.

• Village of St. Martins – Vaughan Creek Bridge Replacement.

“Investing in improved wastewater and drinking water facilities is an important part of delivering on our government’s priority to build vibrant and sustainable communities,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gary Crossman, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. “With projects like these, we are not only preserving public health and protecting the environment, we are also equipping these communities with the infrastructure they need for population growth and economic recovery.”

Repairs will provide safer and more reliable roads for the residents of St. Martins. Meanwhile, improvements in New Maryland, Plaster Rock, and St. Stephen will ensure residents have continued access to safe drinking water and dependable wastewater services.

“Our government recognizes that rural communities are critical to Canada’s well-being and economic success,” said federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality Maryam Monsef, who is also minister of Rural Economic Development. “When small communities thrive, we all feel the benefits. Investments in these four projects across New Brunswick, support efforts to create vibrant dynamic communities where people and businesses want to settle, stay, and work together to build a strong, bright future.”

The federal government is investing over $9 million in the four projects through the Rural and Northern Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Plan. The provincial government is investing is investing $6 million. The communities of St. Stephen, New Maryland, and Plaster Rock are contributing a collective $864,885 to their respective local projects.

“Investing in safe and reliable transportation infrastructure has a positive impact on our economy and our quality of life,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Jill Green. “The replacement of the Vaughan Creek Bridge in St. Martins will help promote the tourism industry in this region as the new structure will maintain the look of a covered bridge as a way to pay tribute to our collective heritage.”

The announcement was hosted virtually on Zoom by the Village of New Maryland.

“We are honored to host such an important announcement,” said New Maryland Mayor Judy Wilson-Shee. “These projects are crucial to our communities and our own Wellfield Development Project will benefit not only our municipality, but also the neighboring local service districts. With the costs of these types of projects so incredibly high, we would not be able to move forward without the contributions from the provincial and federal levels of government who share in this announcement today.”