Ottawa willing to help Parlee Beach with contamination problem
Beauséjour MP Dominic LeBlanc says he is ready to ask for federal money to help solve water quality problems at Parlee Beach.
Water at the province's most popular beach was plagued by problems last summer. There were 45 days when the water was so contaminated with fecal bacteria that young children and the elderly should not have gone in, although the province only informed beachgoers on 28 of those days.
LeBlanc, the federal fisheries and oceans minister, was in Shediac on Monday to talk about a $1.9 million project to upgrade the town's sewage lines on Main Street.
Mayor Jacques LeBlanc believes the project to update the 50-year-old infrastructure is not related to problems of water quality at Parlee Beach, but the Shediac MLA, Victor Boudreau, sees a connection.
''This is still indirectly a step in the right direction," Boudreau said. "Because indirectly it is one of the main trunk lines that goes through Shediac."
Role of sewage system under study
Boudreau, who is also new Brunswick's health minister, said a government committee has started looking at whether any part of the town's sewage system is causing fecal bacteria to end up in Shediac Bay.
Although he admits it won't have any answers by the next beach season, the committee recently outlined a work plan that includes submitting a report highlighting recommended actions to government by June 2018.
Dominic LeBlanc said if the town's sewage system turns out to be the problem, Ottawa is willing to lend a hand.
''The minute the province, and the sewerage commission — if that's the appropriate body ultimately to participate as well— come up with a specific plan to address any of these concerns that are found to be serious, the government of Canada will be happy to partner with and share the cost," said LeBlanc.
Last update long ago
Mayor LeBlanc said it had been more than 50 years since the town's sewage lines were updated.
The project, which is receiving half of its funding from the federal government, with the rest of the cost split between the province and the town, will begin in April.
LeBlanc said the town recognizes the work will be an inconvenience for businesses and tourists, and it will stop in mid-June until after Labour day weekend.
''We will not affect the core of the tourist season, it's vital to the downtown, it's vital to the economy of Shediac,'' the mayor said.
The town is hoping to have the project completed by the end of 2017, or spring 2018 at the latest.
