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Western Economic Diversification Canada |
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SAFER WATER FOR CENTRAL SAANICH RESIDENTS |
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CENTRAL
SAANICH – A $1.1-million federal and
provincial funding contribution, through Canada-British Columbia Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF), will connect 64 homes in Central Saanich
to a supply of safe drinking water.
The
Honourable Gary Lunn, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands and Minister of Natural
Resources on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s
Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of
Western Economic Diversification, Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the
Islands, Minister of Advanced Education and Minister responsible for Technology,
and Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services, made the announcement today.
The
funds will help to pay for the extension of the community drinking water system
by installing two new water mains, and 64 new residential water meters.
“Canada’s
New Government is working in partnership to improve the quality of life for the
residents of Central Saanich and surrounding areas,” said Lunn. “Through this
joint investment of $1.1 million, we are helping build healthy, clean and
prosperous communities.”
“There
are few things more important than ensuring a community
has access to safe drinking water,” said
Coell. “This funding ensures these residents will have a
connection to a source of safe and reliable drinking water and I’m pleased to
see this happen through the strong partnership between all three levels of
government.”
“I’m pleased that our partnership is
supporting this, and so many other infrastructure initiatives all around our
province,” said Chong. “These projects, one by one, are contributing to a
greener, healthier B.C.”
“On behalf of
council, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to both the federal and
provincial governments for their favourable consideration of this application.
Extension of the district’s water system from the Thompson Road intersection on
Mt. Newton Cross Road to the most westerly extent of Senanus Drive would ensure
a reliable and adequate supply of potable domestic water to all residents who
will be potentially serviced by the waterline,” said District of Central Saanich
Mayor Jack Mar. “Confirmation of the availability of this funding will now
permit the district to move forward with the next steps in the process in
consultation with the area residents.”
Under the initial CBCMRIF
Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each
committed $51 million to the fund, with participating local governments
expected to match this amount. This year, Canada’s New Government and the
Province of B.C. have each provided an additional $23.5 million to the
Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to
help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This
additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment and
matching local government contribution in CBCMRIF projects to over $220
million.
The majority of
the funding is targeted towards communities of fewer than 250,000 people and at
least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with “green projects” such as
drinking water supply, treatment and distribution needs as well as wastewater
and energy efficiency projects. The remaining funds will be dedicated to other
projects like tourism, recreation and other infrastructure.
More details on
the program are available through the Canada-British Columbia Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund website, at www.canadabcmrif.ca.
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contact: |
Western Economic Diversification Canada 604 666-4714 |
B.C. Ministry of Community Services 250 356-6334 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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