For Release
February 02, 2007
Medicine Hat, Alberta – The City of Medicine
Hat will benefit from a $6 million investment from Canada’s New
Government and the Government of Alberta in two municipal infrastructure
projects.
Improvements will reduce traffic congestion, support growth in the south
sector of Medicine Hat and provide greater access to business districts
within the city. The projects will also increase safety and reduce
maintenance costs.
Through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF),
the federal and provincial governments will each contribute $2.85 million
towards the upgrading and extension of South Boundary Road, as well as
$150,000 each towards the synchronization of traffic signals along a
7.5 km portion of roadway.
The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human
Resources and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Rona
Ambrose, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western
Economic Diversification, and Len Mitzel, MLA for Cypress-Medicine
Hat, on behalf of 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 Medicine Hat,” said Minister Solberg. “This
investment will increase the safety of commuters, help reduce traffic
congestion as well as promote business growth opportunities.”
“This project will improve traffic flow and safety
for motorists on South Boundary Road as well as address growth in this
area of the city,” said Mitzel. “Providing safe and secure
communities and managing growth pressures are two of the Government of
Alberta’s five priorities.”
“Given Alberta’s unprecedented growth and the challenges
municipalities face meeting transportation infrastructure needs, the
CAMRIF funding is a welcomed relief. Alberta’s urban municipalities
are striving to achieve long-term sustainability economically, culturally,
socially and environmentally, and this funding will help the City of
Medicine Hat build the infrastructure to support this goal,” said
AUMA President Bob Hawkesworth.
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.
Eligible projects under CAMRIF include water and sewage treatment, solid
waste management, public transit and energy improvements to municipal
buildings.
The fund also supports better roads and bridges, cultural, recreational
and tourism projects and improved broadband Internet access. 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.
Subscribe to news releases and keep up-to-date on the latest from WD.
Backgrounder
Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund (CAMRIF)
The following projects are receiving funding under the Canada-Alberta
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
City of Medicine Hat
South Boundary Road
Combined federal / provincial investment: $5,700,000 (pending
environmental assessment)
This project will upgrade 1.7 km of roadway and provide an 800-metre
extension to South Boundary Road.
Synchronization of Traffic Signals
Combined federal / provincial investment: $300,000
This project will synchronize traffic signals along the 7.5 km north-south
corridor of Dunmore Road, Allowance Avenue, Maple Avenue, Altawana Avenue
and Division Avenue North.
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.
At total of
$880,000 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 .
