Saint-Joseph-du-Lac, October 4, 2007 Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Quebec and Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, David Whissell, Ministre du Travail and Ministre responsable de la région des Laurentides, today joined Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for LotbinièreChutes-de-la-Chaudière and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, acting on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the Municipality of Saint-Joseph-du-Lac will receive $3,926,978 in government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) for upgrades to its water supply and sewer infrastructure.
In spring 2007, the Municipality of Saint-Joseph-du-Lac launched a major project consisting primarily of the installation of a water main along both Binette Street and a portion of Principal Road, and the laying of distribution pipes under a number of the streets bordering Principal Road, between Binette and Théorêt streets. This work also included the installation of sewer collection lines along several streets to the east of Principal Road. These improvements will directly benefit some 700 local residents.
Under component 1 of the MRIF, the eligible costs of this project are $6,490,000, of which the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada will each contribute $1,963,489, for a combined total of $3,926,978 in government assistance, with the City of Saint-Joseph-du-Lac assuming $2,563,022 of the project's costs.
Saint-Joseph-du-Lac Mayor Alain Guindon said he is delighted that this project, considered a top priority for the development of his municipality and well-being of the population, will soon be completed.
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a $470 million cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada that is open to Quebec municipalities. With the financial participation of municipalities, 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.
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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 Vice-première ministre and Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions
418-691-2050
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
