| MPP Arnott Asks For Answers on Status of
Funding to Repair the Conestogo Dam
Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott is persevering in his campaign to get the Government of Ontario to recognize its responsibility to provide funding assistance to help the Grand River Conservation Authority repair the broken gates on the Conestogo Dam.
He raised the issue again during Question Period on Monday October 22, 2001, this time with the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Brian Coburn.
The exchange in the Legislature first focussed on water quality. Mr. Arnott asked the Minister to account for what was being done to protect the water supplies in Waterloo-Wellington. The Minister recounted the Ontario Healthy Futures Program through which $740,000 was invested into a partnership with the County of Wellington, local municipalities and the Grand River Conservation Authority.
In his follow up question, Mr. Arnott advised the House that the Conestogo Dam plays an integral part in maintaining water supply and quality. He described how the Dam is operated to mange low-flow augmentation, meaning that when water levels are low the dam gates are opened wider to allow more water into the Grand River.
“This is vitally important because, at times, the Conestogo Dam is responsible for up to 60 per cent of the drinking water in the City of Kitchener,” reported Mr. Arnott.
He then reminded the Legislature that the Grand River Conservation Authority has requested assistance from the Province to help cover the repair costs, which are estimated at $1.2 to $1.5 million.
“I have supported the position taken by the GRCA, that being that the provincial government should be a major partner in the costs of these repairs. If the Minister agrees with me that the Government should be a major funding partner, can he tell this House how and when this will happen?” inquired Mr. Arnott.
The Minister responded:
“From my understanding, our staff are meeting with members of the Grand River Conservation Authority in the hope of partnering with them to resolve this particular issue and repair the dam. At present, we're considering all of the programs that are available to us and all of the avenues.”
Counting his most recent question, Mr. Arnott has raised the issues five times in the Ontario Legislature since first bringing it forward during the Throne Speech debate in April 2001.
“This issue simply won't go away – I won't let it. I appreciate the hopeful tone and the interest shown by the Government so far, but the municipalities and the GRCA expect and deserve a timely resolution to this problem, I expect the Government to be able to deliver it,” Mr. Arnott later declared.
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