FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL FUNDS SUPPORT VIBRANT COMMUNITIES

VICTORIA – More than 100 communities in B.C. will soon begin work on infrastructure projects that will improve their local environments, making them greener, more sustainable places to live, thanks to investments totalling $147 million from the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF).

The Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia launched CBCMRIF in June 2006, with the majority of program funding supporting communities of fewer than 250,000 people.

“The investments under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund will make considerable improvements to quality of life in these communities,” said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “The Government of Canada is proud to support key infrastructure projects across the province that enhance the health and well-being of citizens, while advancing our economic interests.”

“By working together with our federal and local government partners, we’ve improved drinking water quality and helped communities, particularly some of our smallest communities, address a range of pressing local infrastructure needs,” said the Honourable Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Community Development. “Together we have made these projects affordable to local taxpayers.”

“The projects supported through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund were identified as priorities by local communities,” said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety. “Through this investment, our government is working to fulfil the infrastructure needs of communities, which will contribute greatly to the overall prosperity of regions across the province.”

“Improved, reliable infrastructure is essential to support continued economic growth and development throughout the province,” said the Honourable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “We are committed to working with our communities to fund important infrastructure projects to ensure B.C. remains the best place to live, work and invest.”

Sixty-two projects are supporting “green” infrastructure, such as water and waste-water systems, public transit and environmental energy improvements. Forty-one other infrastructure projects will improve local roads, cultural and recreational facilities, tourism and broadband connectivity. The amount of funding through CBCMRIF, with federal and provincial investments and matching local government contributions, totals over $220 million.

With funding under the CBCMRIF program now fully committed, the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia remain dedicated to providing ongoing support towards B.C.'s infrastructure needs. On Nov. 6, 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Gordon Campbell signed a federal-provincial agreement under the historic Building Canada Plan. The plan will see the Government of Canada contribute $2.2 billion to infrastructure initiatives across the province, a portion of which will also be matched by the Province of British Columbia.

For details on the CBCMRIF program, visit www.canadabcmrif.ca.

For details on the Building Canada Plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.

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Media Contacts:

Jackie Stewart

Western Economic Diversification Canada

604 666-7543

Marc Black

Ministry of Community Development

250 387-4089

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