For Release
February 09, 2007
Viking, Alberta – Residents of East Central Alberta will benefit from an investment of $1.89 million from Canada's New Government and the Government of Alberta towards road improvements and replacing the Carena (arena) in Viking.
Improvements to the Vegreville Seed Plant Road and Agricore Road will increase safety, reduce maintenance costs and provide access to future development in the Beaver/Viking industrial park. The replacement of the Carena, which was destroyed by fire in July 2006, will benefit area residents through expanded recreational programs with a new, multipurpose and energy efficient ice-surface facility.
Through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF), the federal and provincial governments will contribute matching amounts to the three projects, which are located in the County of Minburn No. 27, Beaver County and the Town of Viking.
Leon Benoit, member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Luke Ouellette, Minister of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, made the joint announcement today.
"Canada's New Government is getting things done for the people of East Central Alberta," said MP Benoit. "This investment means safer roads for drivers and for residents of Viking, it also means they will enjoy expanded recreational opportunities with the replacement of the arena."
"This investment will improve traffic flow and safety for motorists on Vegreville Seed Plant and Agricore Roads. It will also bring a new Carena to residents of the Viking area," said Minister Ouellette. "Providing safe and secure communities and improving Albertans' quality of life are two of the Government of Alberta's five priorities.".
The Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a joint initiative between the Governments of Canada and Alberta that enables communities to address local infrastructure needs. Over the course of CAMRIF, the federal and provincial governments will each contribute $88 million in funding for municipal infrastructure renewal.
A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets "green" infrastructure projects that contribute to community economic development and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism and cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Jerry Bellikka
Communications Director
Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 415-1841
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at
www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)
The following projects are receiving funding under the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)
Beaver County
Agricore Road Upgrade
Combined federal / provincial investment: $359,132
The project will allow for the paving of the Agricore Road to meet full strength requirements. The result will be increased stability and wearability of this high-traffic road.
County of Minburn No. 27
Vegreville Seed Plant Road (TWP. RD. 524)Combined federal / provincial investment: $788,958 (pending environmental assessment)
The project involves the reconstruction of the Vegreville Seed Plant Road (Township Road 524) from the Junction of Hwy 857 (approx. 2.0 km). Reconstruction of the road top will improve safety and reduce operating and maintenance costs, thereby benefiting road users, local ratepayers and the County. The project will also reduce impact on the environment and natural resources.
Town of Viking
New Carena (arena)—Phase II Combined federal / provincial investment: $745,800 (pending environmental assessment)
This project will replace the Carena arena, which was recently destroyed by fire, with a new, multipurpose, energy efficient, single ice surface facility. Phase II consists of developing the second floor, which includes the fitness centre, dance club / martial arts floor, municipal library and elevator. This phase also involves the running / walking track and playschool.
Fact Sheet
Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)
Partnership Program
The Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF) is designed to address local infrastructure needs in rural and urban Alberta. It ensures all Albertans, whether they live in large, small or remote communities, share in the benefits of infrastructure investments.
Through the fund, the Governments of Canada and Alberta invest in local infrastructure projects. These projects are vital to sustaining strong economic growth and quality of life in Canadian communities.
The federal-provincial CAMRIF Agreement provides $88 million each in federal and provincial funding for municipal infrastructure renewal, reflecting shared federal and provincial priorities. With matching one-third contributions from municipalities, total program funding will be at least $264 million.
CAMRIF is implemented by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, and is administered by a joint secretariat.
Program Priorities
A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets “green infrastructure” projects that contribute to community economic development and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism and cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity.
At least 80 per cent of CAMRIF funding is dedicated to rural municipalities with a population of less than 250,000. The remaining 20 per cent is available to urban municipalities with a population greater than 250,000.
A total of $1,760,000 is also available to municipalities for Municipal Capacity Building (MCB) projects. Projects may include, but is not limited to, the acquisition of infrastructure planning software, training to use that software, planning studies to determine the inventory and condition of infrastructure assets in the municipality or the development of a demand asset management system.
Local input and collaboration
CAMRIF is managed by a six member Management Committee consisting of two federal representatives, two provincial representatives, and two members representing Alberta’s municipal associations—the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. The Management Committee develops the Management Committee guidelines and oversees the project review and selection process. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities. The deadline to submit applications for the first intake was July 31, 2006.
Applications for the second intake will be accepted in Spring 2007.
Environmental Assessment
CAMRIF projects are required to successfully complete applicable environmental assessment processes, and funding is conditional on compliance with all applicable federal and provincial requirements.
How to apply
For more information, contact the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Joint Secretariat by phone (toll free) at 1-800-396-0214, by e-mail at camrif@gov.ab.ca or visit the website www.camrif.ca .
Information about Government of Canada and Alberta’s infrastructure programs is available at www.infrastructure.gc.ca and www.infratrans.gov.ab.ca .
