ELIE, MB – Thirteen communities in north and
south central Manitoba are benefiting from three infrastructure projects
jointly announced today by the Government of Canada and the Province
of Manitoba. Funding for these projects through the Canada-Manitoba
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) exceeds $5 million.
The announcement
was made by the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Justice and Attorney
General of Canada on behalf of the Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister
of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and
the Honourable Christine Melnick, Manitoba Minister of Water Stewardship
on behalf of the Honourable Ron Lemieux, Minister of Infrastructure and
Transportation.
“These
projects will enhance the quality of Manitoba’s environment and
improve community life," said Minister Toews on behalf of the
Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of
Western Economic Diversification. "By supporting
both traditional infrastructure and broadband infrastructure, Canada’s
New Government is investing in future growth for Central Manitoba."
“The
Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund helps municipalities
undertake projects that improve the lives of Manitobans,” said
Minister Melnick. “The wastewater and sewer projects will preserve
the environment and the broadband project will stimulate local economies
and connect residents with new opportunities.”
The projects announced in Manitoba’s central regions are part
of a larger group of 15 rural and northern Manitoba infrastructure
projects worth $22 million announced through the Canada-Manitoba Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund this week by both levels of government. The
approved projects focus largely on green infrastructure for water and
wastewater systems throughout the province and one broadband connectivity
project.
The infrastructure projects announced today for the central region
of Manitoba consist of two green infrastructure upgrades to current
wastewater systems serving three communities and one wireless broadband
network project. The R.M. of Cartier will benefit from the construction
a new low-pressure sewer system and wastewater treatment lagoon and
the Town of Morden plans to expand its wastewater lagoon. Meanwhile,
Central Plain Inc. will develop a wireless broadband network to provide
access for at least 11 communities within the Central Plains/Heartland
Regions.
Project
approvals are based on recommendations from the MRIF Rural/Northern
Federal‑Provincial‑Local Consultative Committee (FPLCC).
The projects announced result from applications received under the
third and final rural and northern project application intake deadline
of June 15, 2006. The FPLCC consists of local government representatives
from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities and the Northern Association
of Community Councils. The FPLCC was created to provide input in the
MRIF project selection process.
“The AMM is pleased to be a part of a successful partnership
bringing much-needed infrastructure investments to Manitoba communities,” said
Ron Bell, AMM President. “The projects being announced today
encourage population growth in Manitoba communities by expanding wastewater
systems essential for community health, and connectivity systems crucial
for global communication. The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)
has made a significant contribution to our members' infrastructure
needs and I look forward to seeing more funds dedicated to this
program in the future.”
“Northern
and rural Manitobans are benefiting from MRIF’s investment in their
green and communications related infrastructure,” said Reg Meade,
NACC President. “The NACC looks forward to seeing the results of
these projects as they create positive outcomes in the local economies
and quality of life.”
The Canada-Manitoba MRIF is investing a total
of $120 million in communities across Manitoba. Eighty percent
of MRIF funding is earmarked for communities with a population under
250,000, including 198 municipalities and 50 unincorporated Northern
Community Councils in rural and northern Manitoba. The remaining 20 percent
is allocated for communities with a population of more than 250,000. More
information on Canada and Manitoba infrastructure projects is available
at www.infrastructure.gc.ca .
For additional information, contact:
Jacqueline Petrus, Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Secretariat
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-8778
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-4883Mark Gale
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (204) 983-0789
Graham Gork, Communications Coordinator
Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-5795
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at
www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
BACKGROUNDER
RURAL AND NORTHERN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
MUNICIPAL
RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
CANADA-MANITOBA INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS
December 2006
Each of the following projects is receiving funding under the Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) through matching one-third contributions
from the federal and provincial governments and the local project proponent.
North Central Region
R.M. of Cartier - $1,410,000
St. Eustache Pressure Sewer & Lagoon
This project consists of construction of a low-pressure sewer system
and wastewater treatment lagoon to replace failing on-site systems. Approximately
110 households will benefit from the new municipal system.
Central Plains Inc. - $2,100,000
Central Manitoba Broadband Project
A wireless broadband network will be developed to provide access for
at least 11 communities within the Central Plains/Heartland Regions and
will have the potential to reach up to 20,000 residents, 35 public institutions
and 500 local businesses. The eleven community partners involved
include: R.M. of Portage la Prairie, R.M. of South Norfolk, R.M.
of Lakeview, R.M. of St. Francois Xavier, R.M. of Victoria, R.M. of Westbourne,
R.M. of North Norfolk, R.M. of Cartier, R.M. of Grey, R.M. of Glenella
and the Village of Notre Dame.
South Central Region
Town of Morden - $1,800,000
Wastewater Lagoon Project
This project is for the expansion of the Morden wastewater lagoon. The
addition of a new secondary hydraulic cell will alleviate the overloading
in the existing lagoon. A secondary cell is also needed to accommodate
the population growth in Morden.
Previously Announced Projects
South East Region
R.M. of Alexander - $2,700,000
Water Treatment Plant
A new water treatment plant will be constructed utilizing advanced multi-barrier
treatment technologies to provide safe drinking water to communities
and businesses along the Winnipeg River. The new plant will replace
a proliferation of small private systems that are currently challenged
to meet minimum water quality requirements and will be designed to allow
for future expansion into neighbouring communities.
R.M. of Tache - $3,600,000
Lorette Water Supply Project
This project includes a new water supply well, a one-million litre concrete
reservoir, a water pumping station, as well as water mains and services
lines to provide water to 950 residents not currently connected to the
municipal water system. This will eliminate the boil water precautions
currently in effect and protect public health. Improved potable
water quality will be made available to 400 households.
Northern Region
Meadow Portage Community Council - $1,311,000
Water Treatment Plant Upgrade
This project will provide for the upgrading of the water treatment plant
of Meadow Portage. The project will improve the potable water for the
residents of Meadow Portage and outlying communities of Spence Lake,
Benyks Point and Woods Creek.
Thicket Portage Community Council - $1,194,800
Water Treatment Plant
This project involves the construction of a conventional water treatment
plant and associated works for the community of Thicket Portage. Approximately
42 households currently connected to municipal water service will have
improved potable water quality.
Gods Lake Narrows Community Council - $2,093,700
Water Treatment Plant
This project is for the design and construction of a new water treatment
plant at an alternate site in Gods Lake Narrows. Approximately
38 households currently connected to municipal water service will have
improved potable water quality.
Interlake Region
R.M. of Rosser/R.M. of Rockwood - $2,713,500
Lagoon Project
This project includes the installation of a piped sewage collection system
and a new wastewater treatment lagoon. Approximately 75 new households
will be connected to municipal wastewater collection and treatment systems. The
lagoon will be designed to have the capacity to service a large area,
including the community of Grosse Isle and portions of the RMs of Rockwood
and Rosser, as well as the townsites of Rosser and Gordon.
Parklands Region
Village of McCreary - $48,000
Sewer Relining Project
Plans are to undertake sewer relining on Second Avenue to extend the
life of the existing sewer lines, improve service reliability of the
sewer system and avoid extensive street reconstruction costs.
R.M. of Shell River/Town of Roblin - $912,000
Lagoon Expansion
The RM of Shell River, along with the Town of Roblin, will construct
two additional cells for Roblin’s existing lagoon. The lagoon
expansion will improve effluent treatment and provide addition storage
for Shell River’s nearby rural residential and commercial developments,
and a new Industrial Park that is being jointly developed by Shell River
and Roblin.
