Kamloops, British Columbia, August 31, 2007 - The City of Kamloops will
receive $3.34 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund for a city-wide
curbside recycling program.
The announcement was made today by Betty Hinton, MP for
Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon,
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. Kamloops MLA, the
Honourable Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance;
Kamloops-North Thompson MLA, the Honourable Kevin Krueger, Minister of
State for Mining; Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) 1st Vice
President Susan Gimse; and Mayor Terry Lake also participated in today's
celebration.
The funding will be used to purchase 23,500 residential recycling
containers and 12 split-body collection trucks. The trucks will permit the
simultaneous collection of solid waste and recyclables, and will lower
operating costs, reduce greenhouse emissions and significantly increase
recycling.
"The environment is a clear priority for Canada's New Government," said
Minister Cannon. "This important investment will help meet environmental
infrastructure needs in Kamloops, while acting on our government's
commitment to provide Canadians with cleaner air and improved quality of
life."
MP Hinton praised Kamloops for its decision to initiate a new recycling
program for the city's residents.
"Canada's New Government is working in partnership with the Province of
British Columbia and UBCM to provide funding that will help cities and
communities meet their infrastructure needs and improve their quality of
life," said MP Hinton.
"Kamloops is playing a vital role in helping protect the environment,"
said Minister Richmond. "It's excellent to see government partnerships
provide funds for communities that are working so hard to find green
solutions for the health and well-being of their citizens."
"This is a promising initiative for the residents of Kamloops,"
Minister Krueger. "Accessible recycling containers and a pick-up program
will encourage more people to pitch in to making this community a greener,
healthier place to live."
"While many of us are aware of the greenhouse gas output from
automobile emissions, the output from our solid waste management is often
under appreciated," said 1st Vice President Gimse. "UBCM appreciates the
support of the federal government through the Gas Tax Fund to support
forward thinking projects like Kamloops upgraded recycling program."
Kamloops residents currently recycle 2,000 tonnes annually through
neighbourhood collection depots. With the introduction of curbside pickup,
the amount recycled is expected to grow to 5,000 tonnes per year,
extending the lifecycle of the existing landfill by four years.
"The City of Kamloops is extremely pleased to receive $3.34 million
contribution towards the start-up of our comprehensive residential
recycling curbside collection program," said Mayor Terry Lake. "We expect
the convenience of the program will increase the amount of household
recyclables collected by 150%, resulting in huge environmental benefits at
a reasonable cost for our residents."
It is anticipated that curbside collection will commence in late 2007,
pending the delivery of the trucks.
Canada's New Government is providing $635.6 million to British Columbia
from 2005 to 2010 through the Gas Tax Agreement. As part of its $33
billion "Building Canada" plan, the Government of Canada extended the Gas
Tax Fund by an additional $2 billion per year nationally, from 2010 to
2014. Gas Tax funding is available to local governments for
environmentally sustainable projects that lead to the reduction of
greenhouse gas, cleaner air or cleaner water. The Gas Tax Agreement is
administered in British Columbia by the Union of BC Municipalities.
Please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca
or www.civicnet.bc.ca for
background information on the Canada – BC – UBCM Gas Tax Agreement.
Contacts:
Natalie SarafianPress Secretary to the Honourable Lawrence
Cannon613-991-0700
Marc BlackCommunications ManagerMinistry of Community
Services250-356-6334
Paul TaylorRelationships and Communications AdvisorUnion of BC
Municipalities250-356-2938
Jeff PutnamCEO, Venture Kamloops250-828-6818
Infrastructure Canada 613-948-1148
