For Release
March 06, 2007
Edmonton, Alberta – Residents in the City of Edmonton
and Strathcona County will benefit from three “green” municipal
infrastructure projects that will enhance transit operations and provide
new water treatment capabilities.
A combined federal/provincial investment of $15.2 million will go to
the City of Edmonton for two infrastructure projects. The first project
will receive $9.2 million to build three new bus terminals at the bus
stations of Leger, Lewis Estates and Meadows that will feature customer
waiting facilities and passenger drop-off sites. The second project will
receive $6 million to construct wetlands to protect the North Saskatchewan
River by reducing storm water runoff and improving water quality.
Strathcona County will receive $6 million in combined federal/provincial
investments to increase transit accessibility for seniors and persons
with physical disabilities by replacing 20 high-floor buses with new low-floor
buses.
Through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF),
the federal and provincial governments will each contribute a total of
$10.6 million for these three projects for a total of $21.2 million in
combined federal/provincial funding.
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for
Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western
Economic Diversification, and Iris Evans, Minister of Alberta Employment,
Immigration and Industry, 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
in the City of Edmonton and Strathcona County,” said Minister Ambrose.
“Today’s investment of $21.2 million will enhance transportation
services, ensure clean drinking water and improve fire protection for
homes in the area.”
“These new projects demonstrate what we can do when all levels
of government work together. Because of our cooperation, we are able fulfill
two of Premier Stelmach’s five priorities: to manage growth pressures
and improve Albertans' quality of life,” said Minister Evans. “Other
priorities identified by Premier Stelmach are to govern with integrity
and transparency, build a stronger Alberta and provide safe and secure
communities.”
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).
City of Edmonton
Three New Transit Centres
Combined federal/provincial investment: $9,200,000 (pending environmental
assessment)
This project includes the construction of three new bus terminals at
Leger, Lewis Estates and Meadows that feature customer waiting facilities
and passenger drop-off sites. Lewis Estates and Meadows will also include
“park and ride” lots.
Wetlands - Kennedale & Pylypow
Combined federal/provincial investment: $6,000,000 (pending environmental
assessment)
These constructed wetlands will protect the river by providing storm water
quantity control and water quality treatment benefits. Storm water brings
pollutants and bacteria to the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, and
this project will help mitigate that risk.
Strathcona County
Low-Floor Bus Replacement
Combined federal/provincial investment: $6,000,000 (pending environmental
assessment)
This project will replace 20 high-floor buses with low-floor buses, increasing
accessibility for seniors and persons with physical disabilities.
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.
