Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan, July 5, 2006 - Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, David Whissel, Member of the National Assembly for Argenteuil and Député responsable de la région de Lanaudière, today joined the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing the awarding of $649,536 in government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to the Parish of Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan.
These funds will enable the parish to carry out infrastructure upgrades along Principale Street, between Île Majeau and Masson streets. More specifically, the project will involve laying some 925 metres of water mains, installing and replacing water valves and hydrants, and carrying out other associated work. This project will benefit the 1,200 or so residents of the municipality's southern district.
The project will require a total investment of $4,805,866, of which $974,305 is eligible under component 1 of the MRIF. Thus, the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada will each contribute $324,768 toward the project, for a total of $649,536 in combined government funding, while the Parish of Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan will pay $324,769, in addition to $3,711,981 for complementary work.
Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan Mayor Yves Prud'homme expressed his delight at the positive impact this work will have on improving community infrastructure and enhancing local citizens' quality of life.
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a $390 million cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada to help finance municipal infrastructure projects in Quebec. With the financial participation of municipalities, this initiative could result in investments of nearly $576 million for infrastructure work in the province. The objectives of the MRIF are to upgrade community infrastructure, improve the quality of the environment, promote long-term economic growth and enhance citizens' quality of life. The Fund focuses on three main component areas: drinking water and wastewater infrastructure; development of knowledge with respect to municipal infrastructure; and local or regional development support infrastructure.
Implementation of the MRIF in Quebec is the result of a joint agreement signed by the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada in July 2005. The program, which is in force until March 31, 2010, is administered by Quebec's Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions. Canada Economic Development is responsible for delivering the federal portion of the MRIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.
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Source:
Johanne Levesque
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Ministère des Affaires municipals et des Régions
514 864-4294
Information:
Jonathan Trudeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions
418 691-2050
Roxanne Marchand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
819 953-5646
613 816-5094
Nadja Raphaël
Communications Advisor
Canada Economic Development
514 283-2634
Canada Economic Development is on line at www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
