Harper Government Invests in the Port Hope Project

Government of Canada/Public Works — November 30, 2012

PORT HOPE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 30, 2012) - The Harper Government is pleased to announce the first major construction contract for the implementation phase of the Port Hope Project. The $22-million contract for the construction of a new waste water treatment plant at the site of the Port Hope long-term low-level radioactive waste management facility was awarded to Kenaidan Contracting Ltd. of Mississauga, Ontario.

"Our Government is committed to moving the Port Hope Project forward," said Rick Norlock, Member of Parliament for Northumberland-Quinte West, on behalf of the Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources. "The awarding of this contract is an important step forward in the cleanup and safe long-term management of historic low-level radioactive waste in Port Hope."

"By awarding this contract, the Harper Government is once again demonstrating our strong commitment to investing in communities. Construction of the waste water treatment plant will benefit the regional economy and provide job opportunities," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Canada's Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women.

The new treatment plant will provide a higher level of treatment than the existing plant and significantly improve water quality, resulting in enhanced protection of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem, and allow for more sustainable future development and growth within the Port Hope area.

Work on the new waste water treatment plant site began in October and is expected to take about two years. The plant will treat contaminated water collected at the site of the proposed low-level radioactive waste management facility during construction and from within the facility once it is built. The contract also includes site clearing and upgrading of roads on the site.

The following media backgrounder is available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media.

Port Hope Area Initiative

Contact Information

Media may contact:
Carly Wolff
Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources
613-996-2007

Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
613-992-4447

Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
416-512-5550

Judy Herod
Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office
905-885-0291

The general public may contact:
Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST
Telephone: 613-995-0947
TTY: 613-996-4397
(teletype for the hearing-impaired)
questions@nrcan.gc.ca