For Release
November 24, 2007
Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba – The rural communities
of Lac du Bonnet and Teulon in Manitoba will benefit from infrastructure
projects funded through the Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund (MRIF). This funding exceeds $1.6 million and is based on equal contributions
from the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and local partners.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Vic Toews, President
of the Treasury Board, 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; and Manitoba
Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Ron Lemieux.
“Today’s announcement reflects the Government of Canada’s
commitment to investing in infrastructure that helps build a stronger,
more sustainable economy for Manitoba,” said Minister Toews. “We
are making infrastructure investments that will leave real and lasting
benefits to families and their communities.
“We are pleased to support these infrastructure projects in Lac
du Bonnet and Teulon that will upgrade the communities’ water and
sewer systems and will help enhance the environment,” said Minister
Lemieux.
The Town of Lac du Bonnet, located 110 km northeast of Winnipeg, will
benefit from over $1.5 million in funding to replace deteriorating water
and sewer lines. The project will provide upgraded water and sewer service
to all residential and commercial properties. Teulon will receive $42,800
to complete repairs to the lagoon dyke to protect it from wave erosion.
These new green infrastructure projects are part of $11 million being
announced this fall to enhance the environment in rural and northern communities
by improving the quality of water and management of water, wastewater
and solid waste. These rounds of announcements are based on recommendations
from the MRIF Rural/Northern Federal Provincial Local Consultative Committee
(FPLCC). The FPLCC consists of local government representatives from the
Association of Manitoba Municipalities and the Northern Association of
Community Councils. The FPLCC was created to provide local input and knowledge
in the MRIF project selection process in rural and northern Manitoba.
“The AMM is pleased to be a part of a successful partnership bringing
much-needed infrastructure investments to Manitoba communities,”
said Ron Bell, AMM President. “The projects being announced today
are essential water and wastewater investments that will benefit the residents
of Lac du Bonnet and Teulon for many years to come. The Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) has made a significant contribution to our
members’ infrastructure needs and I look forward to seeing more
funds dedicated to these types of projects in the future.”
“These infrastructure investments are important for area residents,”
said Reg Meade, President of the Northern Association of Community Councils
(NACC). “As part of the FPLCC, these projects were selected with
NACC input for their strong positive impact.”
The initial Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)
agreement invested a total of $120 million in communities across Manitoba.
This year, an additional $25 million is being provided to MRIF through
matching funds from the governments of Canada, Manitoba and local contributions
as part of the commitment to help small communities meet their pressing
infrastructure needs. This additional funding will bring the total federal
and provincial investment and matching local contribution in MRIF Manitoba
projects to $145 million.
Of the funds, 80 per cent are earmarked for communities with a population
under 250,000, including 198 municipalities and 50 unincorporated Northern
Community Councils in rural and northern Manitoba. The remaining 20 per
cent of funds are awarded to communities with populations over 250,000.
More information on Canada and Manitoba infrastructure projects are available
at: www.infrastructure.gc.ca
and www.infrastructure.mb.ca.
For additional information, contact:
Jana Lerner,
Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Secretariat
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-8778
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-4883
www.infrastructure.mb.ca
Lee Gregg,
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 983-0701
John Thorpe,
Communications Coordinator
Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-4997
www.gov.mb.ca
