Rigaud, October 26, 2007 Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Quebec and Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, Lucie Charlebois, Member of the National Assembly for Soulanges and Assistant Whip for the Government of Quebec, today joined the Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, acting on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the Municipality of Rigaud will receive $750,00 in combined government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to bring its drinking water infrastructure up to standard.
This assistance is aimed at increasing the capacity of the existing water filtration plant in order to better supply homes in the La Raquette district following the decommissioning of the well currently serving the area. The project also calls for the installation of continuous monitoring equipment at the filtration plant, in accordance with the water quality requirements stipulated in Quebec's Règlement sur la qualité de l'eau potable, as well as other complementary work. These upgrades will directly benefit some 1,400 local residents.
This project will necessitate a total eligible investment of $1,500,000 under component 1 of the MRIF. As such, the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada will each contribute $375,000 toward these improvements, for a total of $750,000 in combined government funding, while the Municipality of Rigaud will assume $750,000 of the project's costs.
Rigaud Mayor Réal Brazeau said he is delighted that this project, which is seen as a priority for the development of the municipality and well-being of its local population, will be carried out.
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada. The recent injection of an additional $80 million into component 3 of the MRIF brings to $470 million the total amount of financial assistance available to Quebec municipalities and organizations under the Fund. With the financial participation of the municipalities and organizations, this initiative could result in the execution of more than $700 million in infrastructure work. The objectives of the MRIF are to upgrade community infrastructure, improve the quality of the environment, promote long-term economic growth and enhance citizens' quality of life.
The program, which is in force until March 31, 2010, is administered by Quebec's Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions. Canada Economic Development is responsible for delivering the federal portion of the MRIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.
-30-
Source:
Johanne Levesque
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions
514-873-6910
Information:
Jonathan Trudeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier and Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions
418-691-2050
514-873-2622
Carole Sauvé
Press Secretary
Office of the MNA for Soulanges
450-456-3816
Yan Plante
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
819-953-5646
Jean Décary
Communications Advisor
Canada Economic Development
514-283-8818
