Building Canada strong by investing in electrical reliability for the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC)

MP Mona Fortier, joined by Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, announced a federal investment of more than $30 million to increase the electrical reliability of the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC) wastewater treatment plant through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.

"The Build Communities Strong Fund is building the infrastructure that Canadians rely on every day. Today's investment in electrical reliability for the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC) in Ottawa will strengthen the facility's resilience by ensuring wastewater treatment operations can continue during extended power outages. The project will also help meet the needs of the City's growing population for years to come, while creating and supporting good jobs for Canadian workers. By prioritizing Canadian materials, content, and suppliers, this investment will directly support the Canadian economy, strengthen local supply chains, and ensure that economic benefits are felt by Canadian businesses and communities across the country."

The Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester

"The Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre is one of Ottawa's most important pieces of infrastructure. It protects public health, supports new housing, and helps keep the Ottawa River clean. This investment will make the plant more reliable during extended power outages, strengthen its resilience to extreme weather, and ensure it can keep pace with Ottawa's growth. I want to sincerely thank MP Mona Fortier and the Government of Canada for recognizing the importance of this project and for investing in Ottawa's infrastructure. Strong communities depend on reliable infrastructure, and this partnership will deliver lasting benefits for Ottawa residents."

His Worship, Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa

• The federal government is investing $30,560,000 in this project through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.

• Starting in 2026-27, the Build Communities Strong Fund will deliver funding through three major streams:

  • A Provincial and Territorial stream, which provides $17.2 billion over 10 years, including $5 billion in health infrastructure funding over three years;
  • A Direct Delivery stream, which provides $6 billion over 10 years, including $1 billion over 4 years as part of a Local Impact Stream that is being delivered by Canada's Regional Development Agencies to support community infrastructure projects with local impact; and,
  • A Community stream (formerly the Canada Community-Building Fund), which provides $27.8 billion over 10 years and, indexed at 2% to deliver $3 billion per year ongoing.

• The Build Communities Strong Fund will be a force multiplier in infrastructure - with funding that will be matched by nearly $17 billion from provinces, and additional billions leveraged through municipal and territorial partnerships as well as private capital. The fund will also boost Canada's GDP by $95 billion over the next decade.

• Under the Direct Delivery stream, at least 10% of the funding will go towards investments in Indigenous communities.

• Project funding is subject to the signing of a contribution agreement between the Government of Canada and the recipient.

• Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling requirements, including those related to consultation with Indigenous peoples and environmental assessment obligations, if applicable.

Associated links

• Build Communities Strong Fund
• Prime Minister Carney launches the Build Communities Strong Fund and announces the first tranche of projects
• Prime Minister Carney shares Budget 2025 plan to build communities strong

For more information (media only), please contact:

Arianna Durgerian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
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