NORTH BATTLEFORD, SK – The City of North Battleford
will receive $500,000 from the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Infrastructure
Fund (MRIF) to rehabilitate its water distribution and wastewater collection
systems.
Saskatchewan Health Minister Len Taylor on behalf of Government Relations
Minister Harry Van Mulligen and North Battleford Member of Parliament Gerry
Ritz announced the funding today.
“Local infrastructure renewal is one of the top funding needs identified
by our cities,” Minister Taylor said. “The provincial contribution
of $250,000 to the City of North Battleford is just one example of our commitment
to help communities address their infrastructure needs and to maximize funding
availability by partnering with the federal government.”
“This combined government investment will boost the capacity of North
Battleford’s water distribution and wastewater systems to provide clean
water and prevent sewer backups,” M.P. Ritz said on behalf of the Honourable
Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic
Diversification. “The Government of Canada is carrying out its commitment
to build stronger communities by ensuring that proper municipal infrastructure
is in place to maintain a high quality of living standard.”
"We always appreciate financial assistance for infrastructure. Municipalities,
like other levels of government, have faced shortfalls in infrastructure
spending for a good number of years. We are pleased to partner with
the provincial and federal governments on this project," said His Worship
Julian Sadlowski, Mayor of North Battleford.
The project is worth $1.56 million. In total 12 blocks of aging water
main and 9.5 blocks of sewer main infrastructure will be replaced. The project
will also involve improvements to the City’s water distribution that
will increase both water circulation and pressure.
Approximately 4,600 households and 800 commercial users will benefit from
these water treatment and wastewater system enhancements. The new water main
lines will be cleaner, which will reduce taste, odour and discolouration.
In addition, the new sewer main lines are expected to minimize potential
breaks and backups because of their larger capacity.
Before receiving final approval, community projects undergo a review process
under both the Canadian Environment Assessment Act and The Environmental
Assessment Act (Saskatchewan).
The federal and provincial governments are investing a total of $76 million
in the four-year Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. Participating
communities are expected to contribute one-half the cost of any project, which
will raise the total infrastructure investment above $152 million.
For more information on the Government of Canada and Province of Saskatchewan’s
infrastructure programs, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/mrd/prosimsi.shtml.
For additional information, contact:
Mike Winterburn
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
and Western Economic Diversification
Canada
Tel: (613) 995-2960
Jean Collins
Western
Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon,
SK
Tel:
(306) 975-5965
WD
Toll-Free Number
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Gladys Wasylenchuk
Acting Director, Communications
Saskatchewan Government Relations
Regina, SK
Tel: (306) 787-1370
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at
www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
