Winnipeg, Manitoba - The Winnipeg Humane Society is one organization that will benefit from the Canada Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) signed by Canada and Manitoba in December, 2004. The Society will receive a total of $2 million from the two signatories and will raise an additional $1 million towards the building of the new multipurpose shelter. Premier Gary Doer and Minister Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), made the joint announcement today. “Through federal provincial cooperation and partnerships with local groups we are making much needed improvements to our province's infrastructure,” said Premier Doer. “The Humane Society fills an important need in our community and we are pleased to support this initiative.” “The Government of Canada continues to collaborate with the Province of Manitoba to provide the best possible community infrastructure,” said Minister Alcock. “This is another of many investments in Manitoba communities coming out of the MRIF, which will see $120 million invested in infrastructure renewal within the province. The MRIF is meant to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of our communities right here in Manitoba,” added Alcock. “We're absolutely thrilled with this contribution from the federal and provincial governments,” said Vicki Burns, Executive Director, The Winnipeg Humane Society. “This means that The Winnipeg Humane Society will be able to begin construction on our new shelter in the spring of 2006.” The Winnipeg Humane Society's new 40,000 square foot shelter will be a multipurpose facility that will not only be utilized for the standard services of the Humane Society, but will also be a campus to bring people and animals together in a family oriented park-like setting with extensive community programming and services. The Society needs more space and newer facilities. The new facility will provide extensive public education services and programming to serve not only the citizens of the city but the entire province. Twenty per cent of the agreement's funding is earmarked for communities with a population of over 250,000. The remaining 80 per cent is for the other 198 municipalities and 50 unincorporated Northern Community Councils in rural and northern Manitoba. Applications from these communities are under review in consultation with local government representatives, and the rural/northern funding will be announced in the coming weeks. More information on Government of Canada and Manitoba infrastructure projects can be found at http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca or http://www.infrastructure.mb.ca/. For additional information, contact: Mark Gale Communications Manager Western Economic Diversification Canada Tel: (204) 983-6243 E-mail: mark.gale@wd.gc.ca Graham Gork, Communications Coordinator Government of Manitoba (204) 945-5795 WD Toll-Free Number 1-888-338-WEST (9378) World Wide Web Site: English: http://www.wd.gc.ca French: http://www.deo.gc.ca
