For release: August 22, 2004

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT TO WORK WITH RURAL MUNICIPALITIES
Transitional Funding For Changes To Municipal Outlet Drainage Program

OTTAWA - The Ontario government will assist rural municipalities with changes to the municipal outlet drainage program by providing transitional funding, announced Steve Peters, Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food.

"The government has listened to the concerns expressed by rural municipalities and now we are taking action," said Peters. "We are committed to working with the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and agricultural stakeholders to create a new model for rural infrastructure. In the interim, the government will provide transitional funding."

Peters will discuss support for municipal drainage projects with executives of ROMA in Ottawa later today. He will also be meeting with numerous delegations at the AMO conference on Monday.

"Together we will build better farms, a better economy and a better Ontario," said Peters.

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Contacts:
Mary Devorski
Minister's Office
(416) 326-3077
cell (416) 606-8303

Charles Lalonde
Resources Management Branch
(519) 826-357