Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)
L'Islet, January 15, 2007 Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau,
Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, Norbert Morin,
Member of the National Assembly for Montmagny-L'Islet and Parliamentary
Assistant to the Ministre des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune,
today joined Steven Blaney, Member of Parliament for Lévis-Bellechasse, acting on
behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and
Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the
Municipality of L'Islet will receive $142,956 in combined government funding
under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to improve the quality of
its drinking water.
The project involves connecting the Société d'aqueduc du
Haut de l'Anse private water supply system to the municipal water system.
This will require the laying of approximately 540 metres of water mains and the
installation of a pressure reducing station. These upgrades will help improve
drinking water quality for the 100 or so residents of the
municipality's Petite-Gaspésie district.
Completion of this work will necessitate a total eligible investment
of $285,913 under component 1 of the MRIF. As such, the Government of Quebec
and Government of Canada will each give $71,478 toward the upgrades, for
a total of $142,956 in combined government assistance, while the Municipality of
L'Islet will assume $142,957 of the project's costs.
L'Islet Mayor Jacques Bernier said he is delighted that this project,
considered a priority for the development of the municipality and well-being of
the local population, will be carried out.
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:
Christine Poirier LabergeCommunications
AdvisorCommunications BranchMinistère des Affaires municipales et des
Régions514-873-3687
Information:
Jonathan TrudeauPress SecretaryOffice of the Ministre des Affaires
municipales et des Régions418-691-2050
Roxane MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable
Jean-Pierre BlackburnCanada Economic Development
819-953-5646613-816-5094
Nadja RaphaëlCommunicationsCanada Economic Development
514-283-2634
