For Release
March 16, 2006
Edmonton, Alberta -- Eighteen communities in Alberta are benefiting from nearly $11.6 million invested into municipal infrastructure projects through the Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP).
On behalf of the Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Senior Regional Minister and Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, made the announcement with the Honourable Dr. Lyle Oberg, Alberta Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation.
"The Government of Canada strives to sustain communities by investing in infrastructure projects that bring added value, build stronger economies and improve standards of living," said Minister Prentice. "ICAP has left a lasting legacy of environmentally sound developments in many of Alberta's municipalities.
"The Alberta government was pleased to contribute to improving municipal infrastructure in the province through ICAP," said Minister Oberg. "The program is an excellent example of all three levels of government working together to improve the lives of Albertans."
Project highlights include the Phase II construction of Hall D in the Shaw Conference Centre to accommodate a vast scale of domestic and international conferences and events, and the construction of a 20-kilometre water pipeline to provide residents of Beaver County with potable water.
Under ICAP, the federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs. Partnering communities or private sector organizations (proponents) cover the remainder of project funding. In Alberta, ICAP is implemented by
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation. It is administered by a joint secretariat. The federal and provincial governments together are investing $6.87 million towards the $11.6 million announced today. The proponents are investing the remaining $4.74 million.
To date, 809 ICAP projects have been announced in Alberta under this partnership program. With these projects, ICAP has exceeded its target of investing 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 AUMA applauds ICAP as it has been critical in helping municipalities address the infrastructure deficit that has been building for many years," commented AUMA President Bob Hawkesworth. "Clearly, given the number of municipalities participating and the $11.6 million of funding made available, there is a need for programs of this nature to continue."
"The funding support offered by ICAP allowed our member municipalities to take on needed infrastructure improvements," said Don Johnson, President of AAMD&C. "Infrastructure is a high priority for municipal districts and counties."
The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program agreement was signed October 10, 2000. Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in Budget 2005.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
ICAP website: www.icap-pica.ca
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
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 orders 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 sector organizations in the program provide the remaining project funding. For the 809 ICAP projects and $591 million approved to-date since June 8, 2001, federal and provincial contributions total approximately $338.41 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.
Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program
Backgrounder
Project Locations
Number of Projects
Combined Federal / Provincial Contribution
Total
Project Costs
Beaver County
1 project
$813,332
$1,305,400
Village of Donnelly
1 project
$52,180
$83,749
Village of Edgerton
1 project
$40,354
$64,476
City of Edmonton
1 project
$2,935,332
$4,535,090
City of Grande Prairie
1 project
$1,044,282
$2,120,000
Summer Village of Grandview
1 project
$6,218
$10,519
Town of Hinton
1 project
$246,104
$395,000
Village of Irma
1 project
$56,320
$90,393
Kikino Metis Settlement
1 project
$22,080
$46,438
City of Leduc
1 project
$308,000
$688,973
Village of Mannville
1 project
$55,718
$89,429
Town of Okotoks
1 project
$166,666
$267,500
Town of Provost
1 project
$179,960
$369,693
Red Deer County
1 project
$333,332
$535,000
Town of Strathmore
1 project
$84,098
$160,500
Village of Waskatenau
1 project
$43,600
$74,900
City of Wetaskiwin
1 project
$86,000
$138,030
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
1 project
$400,000
$642,000
GRAND TOTAL
18 Projects
$6,873,576.00
$11,617,090.00
Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program
Project List Summary with Total Project Costs
Beaver County
Viking/Kinsella Water Pipeline
$1,305,400
Treated municipal water will now be available to residents of Kinsella through the construction of a 20 km water pipeline connecting into Viking's water distribution system.
Village of Donnelly
Road Improvements
$83,749
Residents of Donnelly will enjoy a smoother drive and improved drainage of storm water because the roadway improvements to Third Street. Improvements will include a new asphalt overlay and curb and gutter restoration.
Village of Edgerton
Sand Hills Campground Construction
$64,476
Edgerton's new campground is expected to boost the local economy by attracting more tourists to the Village. This project will also have a positive long-term environmental impact on the area by converting a sandy land area into a green space with berry trees and shrubs.
City of Edmonton
Shaw Conference Centre Expansion Hall D Phase 2
$4,535,090
The Shaw Conference Centre is in phase II of construction of an expanded conference space. The expanded facility is expected to attract more large-scale international conferences and events to Edmonton and contribute to the city's economic growth and sustainability.
City of Grande Prairie
Raw Water Line Upgrade
$2,120,000
Municipal water capacity will be increased through the construction of a 2,425 meter, 600 mm raw water pipeline system ultimately resulting in increased water pressure for Grande Prairie's residents.
Summer Village of Grandview
Playground Equipment Upgrades
$10,519
The smaller residents of Grandview will benefit from access to new playground equipment including swings and slides.
Town of Hinton
Hardisty District Streetscape Improvements
$395,000
Several enhancements will emphasize the "Old Drinnan Town" theme of the Hardisty shopping district. Improvements include the installation of improved sidewalks, crosswalks, parking areas, light standards, benches and waste facilities for barrier-free access. New trees and shrubs will enhance the area and banners and flags will add to the historical atmosphere.
Village of Irma
Street Improvements
$90,393
The driving comfort of motorists will be improved by repairing the roadways of Irma with a layer of cold mix asphalt.
Kikino Metis Settlement
Silver Birch Upgrades
$46,438
Installing power connections to approximately 48 stalls at a resort campsite will allow for increased tourism activity in the community.
City of Leduc
Expansion and Upgrade Leduc Performing Arts Centre
$688,973
Main renovations to the centre include an increase in the seating capacity from 254 to 460 and a 100 per cent increase in the size of the foyer. Upgrades were also made to the interior flooring, seats, wall coverings, curtains, lighting, sound system, control room, dressing rooms, washroom facilities, coat check and air flow system. New indoor and outdoor signage display the Centre's new name, The Maclab Theatre for the Performing Arts.
