Boischatel, August 16, 2006 - On behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, Raymond Bernier, Member of the National Assembly for Montmorency and Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministre des Relations internationales et ministre responsable de la Francophonie and, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, Sylvie Boucher, Member of Parliament for Beauport-Limoilou and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and to the Minister for
La Francophonie and Official Languages, are pleased to announce that the Municipality of Boischatel will receive $2,135,000 in government assistance under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
This assistance will enable Boischatel to upgrade water mains and sewer lines under Royale Avenue, the municipality's main artery situated in the historic sector of Boischatel. The project will involve the laying of some 1,000 metres of new water mains and storm and sanitary sewer lines between Montmorency and Côte‑de‑l'Église streets, as well as connecting this new infrastructure to the existing network. These upgrades will be part of a total reconstruction of the avenue in order to enhance its heritage character. The project will benefit 4,500 or so residents.
The project will require a total eligible investment of $3,202,500. Under the terms of component 1 of the MRIF, the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada will each contribute $1,067,500 toward the project for a total of $2,135 000 in combined government funding, while the Municipality of Boischatel will contribute the amount of $1,067,500.
Boischatel Mayor Yves Germain expressed his delight at the positive impact these essential works will have on improving community infrastructure along this main artery in a context of sustainable development.
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 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:
Christine Poirier-Laberge
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Ministère des Affaires municipals et des Régions
514 873-0399
Information:
Jonathan Trudeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions
418 691-2050
514 873-2622
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.
