For Release
March 08, 2007
Red Deer, Alberta – The City of Red Deer will
benefit from a $5 million investment from Canada’s New Government
and the Government of Alberta in two municipal infrastructure projects
that will increase access to local businesses, reduce traffic congestion
and promote healthy, active lifestyles.
Through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF),
the federal and provincial governments will each contribute $2 million
towards the upgrading of the Gaetz Avenue/32 Street intersection, as well
as $531,000 to redevelop the Bower Ponds and Three Mile Bend recreational
areas of the Waskasoo Park.
Bob Mills, Member of Parliament for Red Deer, 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 Mary Anne Jablonski, MLA for Red Deer-North, 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 Red Deer,” said MP Mills. “This joint investment of over
$5 million will increase the safety of commuters, promote local growth
and provide greater access to recreational facilities.”
”These projects will not only improve the recreational areas of
Waskasoo Park, they will also mean more efficient movement of pedestrians,
motorists and goods at an extremely busy intersection,” said MLA
Jablonski. “These projects are steps towards managing Alberta’s
growth pressures and improving Albertans’ quality of life, two of
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach’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.
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 Red Deer
Waskasoo Park Area Upgrades
Combined federal / provincial investment: $1,062,000 (pending environmental
assessment)
This project will upgrade and redevelop the Bower Ponds and Three Mile
Bend recreational areas of the Waskasoo Park.
Gaetz Ave. / 32 Street Intersection Upgrades
Combined federal / provincial investment: $4,000,000
This project will improve access to businesses adjacent to the Gaetz
Avenue / 32 Street Intersection, as well as improve efficiency of movement
for pedestirans, motorists and goods.
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.
