For Release
November 16, 2007
Onanole, Manitoba – The Rural Municipality of
Park will benefit from an infrastructure project jointly announced today
by the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba. Funding in excess
of $3.5 million towards the construction of Onanole’s sewer and
water system, under the Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure
Fund (MRIF), is based on equal contributions from the Government of Canada,
the Province of Manitoba, and the local municipality.
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 Drew Caldwell,
Member of the Legislative Assembly for Brandon East, on behalf of the
Honourable Ron Lemieux, Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation.
“Through infrastructure projects such as this, the Government
of Canada is working in partnership to create strong and healthy communities
in Manitoba,” said Minister Toews. “This investment of more
than $3.5 million will support the RM of Park’s efforts to provide
sewer and water services to Onanole communities, and help to protect the
ecological integrity of Clear Lake, the jewel of this area.”
“This is a very significant project for the local area and will
help address a number of issues related to sewer and water services for
the 1,200 residents of Onanole,” said Caldwell. “We are now
able to move forward in the initial phase of a project that will ensure
a reliable source of high quality water to meet the future needs of Onanole
and will also help improve the environment near the Clear Lake and Wasagaming
areas.”
The RM of Park, located just outside of Riding Mountain National Park,
will benefit from $3,595,600 for Phase I of a multi-phase project to develop
a sewer and water system for Onanole. This project is the first step in
a long-range plan to address water quality in the region and to protect
the environment around Clear Lake and Riding Mountain National Park.
This new green infrastructure project is part of $11 million being announced
this fall to improve drinking water and to enhance the environment in
rural and northern communities by upgrading 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 (AMM)
and the Northern Association of Community Councils (NACC). 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 project being announced today
represents the beginning of an essential water and sewer system that will
service the residents of Onanole for many years to come. The Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund 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.”
“Environmentally responsible wastewater management in this area
is crucial for protecting Clear Lake and to minimize adverse environmental
impacts to Riding Mountain National Park,” said Reg Meade, President
of the NACC. “The NACC is committed to supporting infrastructure
projects that strengthen rural economies and protect the environment.”
The initial Canada-Manitoba 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
Jacqueline Petrus,
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 983-0280
John Thorpe,
Communications Coordinator
Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-4997
www.gov.mb.ca
