The Federal Government and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities are providing funding for a number of green initiatives in Midwestern Ontario.
In a Zoom conference on June 23rd,Marc Serré, Parliamentary Secretary to Seamus O'Regan, the Minister of Natural Resources, stated that 1.2 million dollars will be split between 5 communities through the FCM's Green Municipal Fund.
"This includes over $598,000 to help Brockton upgrade its wastewater treatment facility. This project will replace its current systems with chemical free, ultraviolet light disinfection."
Serré also says Bruce County will be receiving some funding, as well.
"Bruce County is looking into the technical and financial requirements associated with using the surplus electricity it generates to produce and store hydrogen in the region. Our government understands the vital role hydrogen will play in reducing and reaching our net zero emissions."
Canada has a goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Bruce County is partnering with Bruce Power on the hydrogen project. Georgian Bluffs is getting nearly $72,000 to make upgrades to their waste water treatment plant. Guelph and Warwick are also receiving funding for green projects there.
Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody says the upgrades to the Walkerton water treatment facility are very welcome.
"I can remember when I first got into politics 22 years ago, I remember doing a tour of the plant and they had pumps in there from World War 2, so it's an aging plant and we can certainly use this money. So we are very appreciative of the close to $600,000."
In terms of the use of ultraviolet light to disinfect the water, Peabody notes there is another great benefit to the announcement regarding the upkeep and care of the Saugeen River.
"There is a carbon offset of transporting all that chlorine to the sewage treatment plant, that will no longer be needed, as we will be using electricity to keep that water clean as it leaves the plant, so that's fantastic news."
Peabody says with Brockton being in Bruce County, he was the beneficiary of two of the funding announcements as the Bruce County representative on the call.
"We've got a very exciting project, I know we pitched it to Minister O'Regan about hydrogen, and we're going to take excess hydrogen from the Bruce Power plant, find a private sector partner, do some research and studies with that grant we got, so we're very excited to see what Bruce County can do with that grant."