For Release
October 09, 2007
Gold River, British Columbia – Gold River is receiving
more than $240,000 in federal and provincial infrastructure funding to
improve reliability and energy efficiency in the Village’s sewer
system, Ron Cannan, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country, and Ron Cantelon, MLA
for Nanaimo-Parksville, announced today.
“Through collaboration and partnership, Canada’s New Government
is building healthy, clean and prosperous communities,” said Cannan,
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 project will improve
Gold River’s wastewater facilities, provide residents with a reliable
and efficient sewage system, and promote long-term environmental sustainability
in the area.”
The Canada-BC Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) grant will
result in the replacement and relocation of an aging pump station, which
was installed in the late 1960s, with a wet well and two energy-efficient
pumps.
“Our government is committed to supporting sustainable infrastructure
that benefits our communities and our environment,” said Cantelon,
on behalf of Community Services Minister Ida Chong. “We are pleased
to partner with the federal government and the Village to make this energy
efficient improvement for Gold River residents.”
Under the initial CBCMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and
provincial governments each committed $51 million, 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 with 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:
Karl Yeh
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(604) 666-4714
Marc Black
B.C. Ministry of Community Services
(250) 356-6334
