News Release
For Release
March 13, 2007
Fort McMurray, Alberta – Residents of Wood Buffalo,
Town of High Prairie and Municipal District of Big Lakes will benefit
from three municipal infrastructure projects that will provide safer roads,
more affordable transit and increased recreational and cultural opportunities.
A combined federal/provincial investment of more than $3.3 million towards
the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s Urban Road Rehabilitation
Program will enable repairs, surface rehabilitation, line painting, and
curb and sidewalk replacement on various roads.
A combined federal/provincial investment of $843,332 in the Town of High
Prairie will construct a second ice surface and performing arts centre,
while a combined investment of $666,666 in the Municipal District of Big
Lakes will provide a low-fare transit option for residents.
Through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF),
the federal and provincial governments will each contribute a total of
more than $2.4 million to the three projects.
Brian Jean, Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray–Athabasca, 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 Pearl Calahasen, MLA for Lesser
Slave Lake , on behalf of 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 Northern Alberta,” said MP Jean. “Today’s combined
federal/provincial investment of more than $4.8 million will improve quality
of life for residents by providing better transportation infrastructure,
as well as more recreational and cultural opportunities.”
“Managing growth pressures and improving Albertans’ quality
of life are two of the Alberta government’s five priorities identified
by Premier Ed Stelmach,” said MLA Calahasen. “Today’s
investments translate into improved roads for the people of Fort McMurray,
an affordable ride for people in the Municipal District of Big Lakes,
and new entertainment and recreational facilities for the people of High
Prairie.”
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.
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).
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
2007 Urban Road Rehabilitation Program
Combined federal / provincial investment: $3,333,332
This project involves utility repairs, surface rehabilitation, line painting,
curb and sidewalk replacement where needed.
Town of High Prairie
Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre
Combined federal / provincial investment: $843,332
The Town of High Prairie, in partnership with the Municipal District
of Big Lakes and the High Prairie and District Sports Complex Society,
will construct a second ice surface and performing arts centre within
the town of High Prairie.
MD of Big Lakes
Big Lakes Transit
Combined federal / provincial investment $666,666
This project will provide a regular low-fare transit option for residents
of the Village of Kinuso, the town of High Prairie, the M.D. of Big Lakes
and hamlets of Enilda, Faust, Grouard, and Joussard.
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.
