Ottawa's C$500 million completes funding for Winnipeg's C$3.2 billion sewage plant rebuild

Federal ministers and Manitoba MPs made the announcement Friday at the plant, the city's largest and oldest wastewater facility. The province committed its C$500 million almost three months ago, and the city had already budgeted its third of the phase 3 cost, according to CBC. The full upgrade is estimated at C$3.2 billion. CTV News called it the most expensive project in Winnipeg's history.

The province first ordered the upgrade in 2003, telling Winnipeg to cut the nitrogen and phosphorus it sends toward Lake Winnipeg, where nutrients feed toxic algal blooms that can close beaches. After repeated delays, the first phase was finished earlier this year. CBC reported that the whole project is due to be done by 2032.

Liberal MP Terry Duguid said that without more treatment capacity, Winnipeg would run out of room to hook up new homes and industry within six years. Mayor Scott Gillingham, re-elected on Wednesday, said the money means water and sewer rates can stay frozen in 2027 as the city planned. Without federal and provincial help, he said, residents would have paid an average of C$600 more a year.

The C$500 million is part of a wider federal package for Manitoba that also funds housing, health infrastructure and colleges and universities, said Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand. Officials did not announce a procurement schedule or delivery model for the phase 3 plant.