By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Feb. 11, 2012
Squamish received a $4 million contribution from Canada’s Gas Tax Fund for infrastructure upgrades to the Squamish landfill.
The funding was announced by MP John Weston at an official ceremony at the Squamish Landfill on Fri, Feb. 10. He was accompanied by MLA Joan McIntyre and Mayor Rob Kirkham.
The funding is meant to improve infrastructure to the Squamish landfill to trap leachate (polluted water) and transfer it to the Squamish waste water treatment plant for cleaning.
This upgrade will prevent approximately 26,481,000 litres of untreated leachate from entering the environment annually.
Infrastructure upgrades through this project will also increase residential and commercial recycling options, divert waste from the landfill, and increase its lifespan.
The project will also provide the first steps towards a system to recovery of landfill gases.
These upgrades will bring the Squamish Landfill up to current environmental standards and moves Squamish forward in meeting the district’s sustainability objectives.
“These funds allows the district to accomplish its goal of operating a regional and sustainable landfill earlier than projected,” said Squamish Mayor Rob Kirkham.
Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure.
This Infrastructure Canada program primarily supports capital projects such as local roads, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia. On December 15, 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment.
“This investment will increase the lifespan of the Squamish Landfill, and help prevent more than 26 million litres of polluted water from entering the environment annually,” said MP John Weston.
