Alexis Creek , British Columbia – Canada’s
New Government and the Province of British Columbia are investing more
than $1.1 million to improve access to safe, clean drinking water in Alexis
Creek. The announcement was made today by Dick Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince
George, and John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omineca.
“Canada’s New Government is working in partnership, through
the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, to build a healthier
and more prosperous community in Alexis Creek,” said Mr. 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. “This joint investment of more
than $1.1 million will provide the community of Alexis Creek with better
access to clean drinking water and prevent future boil water advisories.”
The Canada-British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF)
grant will allow the Cariboo Regional District to create a unified drinking
water system for Alexis Creek. The project involves the installation of
a distribution main, a pressure system, controls, and development of a
new well. This project is conditionally approved pending the successful
completion of an environmental assessment.
“Our government is committed to providing sustainable infrastructure
that benefits our communities and our environment,” said Rustad.
“We are pleased to partner with the federal government and the regional
district to make this improvement, helping to end two long term boil water
advisories and ensuring Alexis Creek residents have a safe and reliable
supply of drinking water.”
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 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
