Ontario Premier Doug Ford was in Sudbury on Monday, where he announced a $34.9 million provincial investment to upgrade a wastewater treatment plant in the city’s west end.

“This investment will therefore help modernize components of Lively-Walden’s wastewater treatment system, including improvements to the pumping station and water collection system and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant. wastewater from Walden,” Ford said.

The province suggests these improvements will boost the sewer system’s capacity to serve another 3,300 homes that could be built in the area, helping to meet the city’s goals to increase its population and housing.

“This is a historic announcement for the City of Greater Sudbury,” said Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre.

“This is the largest funding the province has ever received for our infrastructure.”

Lefebvre added the new funding shows the province understands the city’s needs to serve a growing population.

Nickel Belt NDP MP France Gélinas was also present at the announcement and said the funding was long overdue.

She said rainfall in the area often causes sewage overflows into local waterways.

“Every time it rains, like we don’t need much, these (lakes) get submerged.”

Criticism from Sudbury MPP

At the end of his announcement, Ford criticized Sudbury NDP MP Jamie West, even though he never mentioned his name.

“We need a strong voice in Queens Park for Sudbury because the guy you have there is sitting in the corner playing cards,” Ford said.

“We need a representative sitting at the table talking about Sudbury everywhere.”

Gélinas, who is a senior NDP official, said the comments were not appropriate for a funding announcement.

“If you want to stop the campaign, you are allowed to do so, but not on Ontario’s expense or on the province’s time,” she said.

“Do this at your own pace. Do this at your own pace.”

Gélinas also pointed out that the announcement took place in his riding, Nickel Belt, and not in that of Sudbury.

Four-lane Highway 69

During the announcement, Ford was asked about the province’s plans to complete four-lane Highway 69 south of Sudbury. All kilometers have been covered, except 68.

“We are currently in the engineering and consultation stages with three First Nations communities because we need to acquire their land,” Ford said.

He added that he was “just in touch” with the three communities to move the project forward.

Gélinas says it right away, Highway 69 is dangerous in winter and the four lanes must be completed to make it safer.

To date, the province has not issued any contracts to complete the work.