For Release
November 08, 2007
St-Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba – The Village of St-Pierre-Jolys
will benefit from infrastructure project funding thanks to the Canada-Manitoba
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF). This joint funding exceeds
$185,000 and 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 Ron Lemieux, Manitoba
Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation; and 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.
“We are pleased to support these local infrastructure upgrades
that will see improvements to the sewer system to the advantage of not
only the residents of St-Pierre-Jolys, but also to the surrounding area
around Joubert Creek,” said Lemieux.
“The Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership
to create stronger and healthier communities in Manitoba,” said
Minister Toews. “This joint investment of over $185,000 will help
to ensure that St-Pierre-Jolys’ water and wastewater systems meet
environmental standards and can support continued population growth.”
The Village of St-Pierre-Jolys, located 58 kilometres south of Winnipeg,
will use the $185,500 investment to upgrade an existing sewage lift station
and extend the sewer system with 420 metres of low pressure sewer mainline.
The project will greatly reduce the likelihood of an overflow of untreated
wastewater into the nearby Joubert Creek.
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 sewer system upgrade being announced
today will not only allow current residents to connect to the municipal
sewer system, but will encourage future development in the area. 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.”
“This project was recommended by the FPLCC and accepted by both
levels of government,” said Reg Meade, President of the Northern
Association of Community Councils. “Protecting our rivers and lakes
is an important priority for the NACC and we are proud to support this
project.”
The initial Canada-Manitoba MRIF agreement, announced in December 2004,
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
