Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)
Québec, February 15, 2007 Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau,
Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions,
Claude Béchard, Ministre du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et
des Parcs, Ministre responsable de la région du Bas-Saint-Laurent and
Member of the National Assembly for Kamouraska-Témiscouata, today joined the
Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and
Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the
Municipality of Auclair will receive $1,468,628 in government funding under the Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) for wastewater treatment upgrades.
This assistance will be used for the installation of sewage interception and treatment
facilities. The work is to include, among other things, the laying of some
350 metres of sewer lines, the construction of an aerated pond treatment
plant and the installation of phosphate removal equipment. These upgrades will
directly benefit some 230 local residents and are expected to improve
the quality of the environment.
Completion of this project will necessitate a total eligible investment of
$1,727,798 under component 1 of the MRIF. As such, the Government of Quebec
and Government of Canada will each contribute $734,314 toward these
improvements, for a total of $1,468,628 in combined government funding, while
the Municipality of Auclair will assume $259,170 of the project's
costs.
Auclair Mayor Jean-Guy Robert said he is delighted that this
project, considered a priority for the development of the municipality and
well-being of local residents, 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.
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 RaphaëlCommunications AdvisorCanada Economic
Development 514-283-2634
