With the village of Westport in need of infrastructure funding, and the province no where to be found for help, Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark is stepping in.
Westport has applied to the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund for help in repairing their wastewater treatment system for the past two years, and have been denied both times with no explanation.
Clark says the village has done their due diligence, and was even invited to reapply this year after being turned down in 2016. He says after two years the provincial government has still not clearly laid out why the project has not gotten priority.
With a population of just 700, Clark says it is the province’s responsibility to help small communities with large infrastructure projects such as this.
Westport’s “Save Our Village” campaign has raised over $150,000 Â for upgrades to their arena and a new park to allow for their council to focus dollars towards the wastewater plant.
Clark notes that if the problem is not solved soon, the plant could become a public health and environmental issue as it is currently sitting on the UNESCO World Heritage site and Rideau Canal waterway.
