News Release
For Release
March 5, 2007
Sangudo, Alberta – Residents of Lac Ste. Anne
County will benefit from a green municipal infrastructure project that
will construct a new, energy efficient fire hall in the Village of Sangudo.
A combined federal/provincial investment of $346,666 towards the new
fire hall will improve safety for residences and businesses, as well as
accommodate the County’s growing population. The new 5,000 square
foot, four-bay fire hall will enable the County fire department to meet
the long-term needs of the community and provide more reliable services.
The facility will also be less expensive to operate as a result of increased
energy efficiency.
Through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF),
the federal and provincial governments will each contribute $173,333 to
the project.
Rob Merrifield, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, on behalf of the
Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada,
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic
Diversification, and George VanderBurg, MLA for Whitecourt–Ste Anne,
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 Lac Ste. Anne County,” said MP Merrifield. “Today’s
investment of $346,666 will improve safety for residents and provide a
more energy-efficient fire hall to meet the long-term needs of the County.”
“This energy efficient fire hall will help firefighters better
serve residents of Lac Ste. Anne County, improving residents’ quality
of life and making our community a safer place to live,” said MLA
VanderBurg. “Managing growth pressures, improving Albertans’
quality of life and providing safe and secure communities are three of
the government’s five priorities identified by Premier Stelmach.”
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
Backgrounder
Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)
The following project is receiving funding under the Canada-Alberta Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
Lac Ste. Anne County
New Fire Hall – Sangudo
Combined federal/provincial investment: $346,666 (pending environmental
assessment)
This green project involves building a new, larger, energy-efficient
and sustainable fire hall in Sangudo that will serve the long-term needs
of the County. The building will meet Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design) standards.
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.
