Edmonton, Alberta – The Town of Chestermere’s new municipal office will be an energy efficient facility through the support of the Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP). T he Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), together with the Honourable Dr. Lyle Oberg, Alberta Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, announced $313,104 in ICAP funding for this project. “The Government of Canada is committed to building communities that are economically and environmentally sustainable,” said Minister McLellan. ”Through our support of ICAP, we are responding to the needs of Albertans. We are investing in long-term economic growth and environmental protection for Alberta’s communities.” This funding has enabled the Town of Chestermere to install heating, ventilation and air conditioning components and plumbing equipment that will increase energy efficiency and control water consumption in the facility. The federal and provincial governments together have invested $313,104 towards the $888,100 project. The proponent invested the remaining $574,996. "This project will improve the quality of life for residents and represents what’s important to individual Alberta communities," said Minister Oberg. "We will continue to work with municipal and federal governments to respond to the needs of Alberta communities." Tours of the Town of Chestermere’s new administration building will be taking place on Friday, June 10, 2005, when the municipality holds its ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the completion of construction. From 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, citizens, media and guests are invited to visit the site and take part in the official unveiling. “We are very pleased with the success of this project,” said Town of Chestermere Mayor Dave Mikkelsen. “On behalf of the citizens of Chestermere, I would like to thank the Governments of Canada and Alberta for their important contributions. The funding announced today shows the level of commitment our two senior orders of government have to working in partnership to support Alberta’s rural communities.” To date, 678 projects have been announced in Alberta under this partnership program. With these projects, ICAP has exceeded its target of directing at least $508 million in federal, provincial and municipal funding toward municipal infrastructure in urban and rural communities across the province. The ICAP Management Committee approves the projects and is composed of representatives from the governments of Canada and Alberta, the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMD&C). "The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program is a good example of a working partnership between all three levels of government," said Dorothy Moore on behalf of the AUMA. "The infrastructure needs of municipalities have never been greater. ICAP's versatile three-way partnership addresses infrastructure needs in all sizes of municipalities." “The funding support offered by ICAP allows our member municipalities to take on needed infrastructure improvements,” said Eugene Wauters on behalf of the AAMD&C. “Infrastructure is a high priority for municipal districts and counties.” The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program agreement was signed Oct. 10, 2000. Federal funding for ICAP is included in the fiscal framework. For additional information, contact: Donna Kinley Communications Manager Western Economic Diversification Canada Edmonton, Alberta Tel: (780) 495-6892 E-mail: donna.kinley@wd.gc.ca Renée Gillen Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) Tel: (613) 954-1110 Trent Bancarz Communications Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation Edmonton, Alberta Tel: (780) 427-0623 (In Alberta, dial 310-0000 for toll-free connection outside of Edmonton) 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 Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program Alberta Fact Sheet Partnership Program The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP) is a partnership involving federal, provincial and municipal governments that also allows for private-sector participation. All three levels of government played an important part in the design of this program. Under ICAP, the federal and provincial governments can provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible costs. Partnering communities or private partners in the program provide the remaining project funding. For the 678 projects and $554.5 million approved since June 8, 2001, federal and provincial contributions total approximately $311.6 million. In Alberta, the program is implemented by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, and is administered by a joint secretariat. Grassroots Driven ICAP is designed with a bottom-up approach. Accordingly, municipalities play an important role in the program. The majority of projects will address local infrastructure needs identified by the municipalities. The federal and provincial governments may also propose projects to ensure that regional projects involving more than one municipality are not overlooked. Program Priorities ICAP’s first priority is “green” municipal infrastructure. Green infrastructure includes projects related to water and wastewater systems, water management, solid waste management and recycling, and capital expenditures to retrofit or improve the energy efficiency of buildings and facilities owned by local municipalities. The ICAP agreement specifies that a minimum 40 per cent of the total value of all approved projects must be invested in green municipal infrastructure. Secondary priorities include local transportation, cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure supporting tourism, rural and remote telecommunications, high-speed Internet access for local public institutions and affordable housing. To ensure the infrastructure needs of rural communities are considered, a minimum 26 per cent of total approved costs for all projects in Alberta must be invested in projects proposed by rural municipalities. Backgrounder Town of Chestermere Energy Efficient Administration Building $888,100 This project features the installation of HVAC components designed to increase energy efficiency in the town’s new administration building. In addition, washroom facilities will be outfitted with infrared sensor technology to control water consumption. Combined Federal/Provincial contribution: $313,104 Contact Person : Sylvia Manning, Tel. (403) 207-2800
