For Release
October 19, 2007
Lantzville, British Columbia – The District of
Lantzville is receiving nearly $3.2 million in federal and provincial
government funding to replace individual septic systems with a municipal
sewer collection system, James Lunney, MP for Nanaimo-Alberni, and Ron
Cantelon, MLA for Nanaimo-Parksville, announced today.
“This joint funding of nearly $3.2 million for the expansion of
Lantzville’s sewer collection system will improve the quality of
drinking water, reduce groundwater pollution and benefit over 225 households,”
said Mr. Lunney 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, the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund is building a healthier and more prosperous community in Lantzville.”
This funding from the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure fund
(CBCMRIF) will assist the District of Lantzville with constructing Phase
2 of a sanitary sewer collection system, improving sewage treatment in
a densely developed area.
“Our government is committed to providing sustainable infrastructure
that benefits our communities and our environment,” said Mr. Cantelon.
“By partnering with the federal government and the District of Lantzville
we are making this important local infrastructure improvement a reality.”
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,
the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia have each
provided an additional $23.5 million to the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund as part of a 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 this 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 such as 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:
Tom Wakefield
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(604) 666-2445
Marc Black
B.C. Ministry of Community Services
(250) 356-6334
