For Release
December 21, 2006
REGINA, Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan municipalities
will receive more help with long-term infrastructure and regional development
planning with a $781,000 investment from the Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund. The investment will allow Saskatchewan’s three municipal
associations to hire three new staff who will visit communities to assist
them with local and regional planning.
Government Relations Minister Harry Van Mulligen, Tom Lukiwski, Member
of Parliament for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre on behalf of the Honourable
Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic
Diversification, SUMA Interim President Allan Earle, SARM President David
Marit and SANC Chairperson Ina Fietz Ray announced the investment today.
“Canada’s New Government is working in partnership to get
things done for the people of Saskatchewan,” said MP Lukiwski on
behalf of the Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue
and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “This funding
will help Saskatchewan municipalities with long-term planning so that
their communities receive the greatest possible value from infrastructure
and regional development investments.”
“I commend the municipal associations for their foresight
in working together to bring this Capacity Development Program to a reality,” Van
Mulligen said. “This initiative will make life better for
today’s Saskatchewan families and help build an even better future
here for our young people.”
The Municipal Capacity Development Program will be a joint project undertaken
by Saskatchewan’s three municipal associations—Saskatchewan
Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), Saskatchewan Association of Rural
Municipalities (SARM) and the Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities
(New North)— to provide resources to Saskatchewan communities
that will help enhance their capacity and ensure their sustainability.
With the funding announced today, these three associations will hire
three resource staff who will be available for northern, rural and urban
municipalities to help them develop sector-specific regional strategies,
community-based sustainability strategies, and community-growth management
strategies. The goal is to encourage rural and municipal cooperation
in developing cost-effective, long-term regional plans.
"SUMA is committed to enhancing the lives of the people who live
in our communities,” Earle said. “Through this partnership
with SARM, Government Relations and SANC the New North, we believe that
the Municipal Capacity Development Program is another tool that our vibrant
communities can use to enhance their economies and overall quality of
life."
“This new partnership between SARM, SUMA, SANC, the Province
and Federal Government to bring in resource people to increase opportunities
for our rural communities is an achievement we can all be proud of” Marit
said. “This program will help provide our members with the
tools they need to build sustainable communities.”
“The member communities of New North will greatly benefit with
a person to assist with local planning and development,” Fietz
Ray said. “Having a staff person based in La Ronge who is
accessible and with an understanding of northern community needs, will
help our communities plan, complete municipal infrastructure projects,
and create economic growth and employment in our communities.”
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 additional information, contact:
Brenda Tarasiuk
A/Manager of Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (306) 975-5943
Todd MacKay
Communications Advisor
Ministers’ Regional Office
Tel: (306) 780-3244
Cathy Gourlie
Communications
Saskatchewan Government Relations
Regina, SK
Tel: 306-787-2687
