Richmond,
August 23, 2006 - Yvon Vallières, Quebec's
Ministre de l'Agriculture, de l'Alimentation et des Pêcheries and Member
of the National Assembly for Richmond, on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau,
Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, and the Honourable
Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, are pleased to announce that the City of
Richmond will receive $832,666 in government assistance under the Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
This assistance will be used to upgrade and extend
10th Avenue, including the water infrastructure buried
underneath it. Specifically, the project involves replacing and adding water
supply, sewer and storm water lines as well as rebuilding and extending the
foundation and paving of the section involved. Thus, the new intermodal terminal
and industrial park will be linked to the city by a passable and safe road.
"Richmond's industrial sector must be strengthened by consolidating its development within the municipal industrial park, while at the same time encouraging the emergence of new enterprises. The Government of Quebec has made municipal
infrastructure modernization one of its key priorities. These upgradings are
essential to ensuring adequate basic services to the population and the
harmonious development of our municipalities and regions," stated
Minister Vallières.
"This project contributes both to maintaining and developing the industrial
park's economic activities while ensuring an ongoing link with the new
intermodal terminal. This project clearly reflects the spirit of the Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund, namely, to enhance quality of life and community
development by upgrading infrastructure," explained Minister
Jean-Pierre Blackburn.
It should be noted that the City of Richmond's project is in line with the
orientations of the MRC du Val-Saint-François' development plan which aims to
strengthen the city's industrial sector by helping to maintain and develop
commercial activities.
The project will require a total eligible investment of $1,249,000 under
component 3 of the MRIF. The Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada
will each contribute $416,333 toward the project for a total of $832,666 in
combined government funding, while the City of Richmond will contribute the
amount of $416,334.
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.
Implementation of the MRIF in Quebec is the result of a joint agreement
signed by the Government of Quebec and the 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 LevesqueCommunications AdvisorCommunications
BranchMinistère des Affaires municipales et des Régions514
873-6910
Information:
Vincent LehouillierPolitical AttachéOffice of the
Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions 418
691-2050Roxane MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable
Jean-Pierre BlackburnCanada Economic Development819 953-5646613
816-5094
Jean DécaryCommunications AdvisorCanada Economic
Development 514 283-2234
Canada Economic Development is on line at www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
