For Release
October 10, 2007
Williams Lake, British Columbia – Canada’s New Government
and the Province of B.C. will invest $483,330 in Williams Lake’s
stormwater system to improve water quality in Williams Lake River and
protect the community’s natural water systems. Dick Harris, MP
for Cariboo-Prince George, and John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omineca
announced the joint funding today, which will come from the Canada-B.C.
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF).
“This initiative will upgrade the community’s stormwater
system, improving the quality of water and protecting the surrounding
ecosystem,” said MP Harris, 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. “Through
collaboration and partnership, Canada’s New Government is building
a healthier and more prosperous community in Williams Lake. This investment
is a concrete example of our commitment to build and modernize Canada’s
infrastructure in communities.”
The
funding will allow the City of Williams Lake to upgrade its stormwater
system to ensure that storm water is directed to an infiltration and
retention basin for treatment. This project is conditionally approved
pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.
“Our
government is committed to building green, healthy, sustainable communities
and supporting sustainable infrastructure,” said MLA Rustad. “Through
our partnership with the federal and local governments, the City of Williams
Lake will be able to improve its water quality and safeguard a valuable
fish habitat.”
“This has been an important project for our community and region.
It has been an environmental issue that we wanted to solve,” said
Mayor Scott Nelson, City of Williams Lake. “We appreciate
the cooperation we have received from the Provincial and Federal Governments
as well as the hard work that the Cariboo Regional District has put into
this successful application.”
Under the initial CBCMRIF Agreement
signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed
$51 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected
to make up the remaining costs. This year, Canada’s New Government and the Province
of B.C. have each provided an additional $23.5 million to the Canada-B.C. Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities
meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding
brings the total federal and provincial investment and matching local
government contribution in CBCMRIF projects to over $220 million.
The majority of the CBCMRIF funding is targeted towards communities
of fewer than 250,000 people and at least 60 per cent of the funding
will assist with “green projects” such as drinking water
supply, treatment and distribution needs as well as wastewater and energy
efficiency projects. The remaining funds will be dedicated to other projects
like tourism, recreation and other infrastructure.
More details on the program are available through the Canada-British
Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund website, at www.canadabcmrif.ca.
For additional information, contact:
Karl Yeh
Western Economic Diversification Canada
604 666-4714
Marc Black
B.C. Ministry of Community Services
250 356-6334
