December 20, 2007
Saddle Hills County, Alberta
The federal and provincial governments will jointly invest more than $1.3 million to reconstruct a key roadway that runs through the Doe River Valley in Saddle Hills County.
Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Peace River, 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 Honourable Hector Goudreau, MLA for Dunvegan - Central Peace, announced the funding through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
"This infrastructure investment will result in safer driving conditions for residents of Saddle Hills County and improve efficiency for businesses," said MP Warkentin. "The Government of Canada is proud to work in partnership with the Province of Alberta to ensure our communities remain safe and productive places to live, work and raise families."
Township Road 805A provides access through the Doe River Valley and is within close proximity to the border between Alberta and British Columbia. The road serves as a vital transportation link for local residents and is an established route for the movement of goods and services within the agricultural and industry-based resource community.
"This road is a vital link for local traffic from both Alberta and British Columbia and an established route for the movement of goods and services within the agricultural and industry-based resource community," said Minister Goudreau. "Upgrading highways reflects Premier Ed Stelmach's plan to secure Alberta's future by building communities, greening our growth and creating opportunity".
Under the initial CAMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $88 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs. This year, the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta have each provided an additional $19 million to CAMRIF as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. The total amount available from the CAMRIF, with federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in projects, is $321 million.
A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets green infrastructure projects that contribute to community economic development and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism, cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities.
Contacts:
Donna KinleyCommunications ManagerWestern Economic Diversification CanadaEdmonton, AlbertaTel: (708) 495-6892Cell: (780) 991-7432
Jerry BellikkaDirector of CommunicationsAlberta Infrastructure and TransportationEdmonton, Alberta(780) 415-1841
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)
The following project is receiving funding under CAMRIF.
Saddle Hills County Reconstruction (re-alignment) of Township Road 805A at Doe River Valley
Combined federal/provincial investment: $1,333,332 (pending environmental assessment)
The project involves the reconstruction (re-alignment) of a section of Township Road 805A. The roadway provides access through the Doe River Valley and is within approximately three kilometres of the Alberta/British Columbia border. The improvement is expected to result in a reduction of 10 traffic accidents per year and provide up to 99 vehicles per day with approximately three kilometres of safer and more efficient road. Emergency vehicle response time is also expected to decrease as a result of the project.
Fact Sheet
Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)
Partnership Program
CAMRIF is designed to address local infrastructure needs in rural and urban Alberta. It ensures all Albertans, whether they live in large, small or remote communities, share in the benefits of infrastructure investments.
Through the fund, the Governments of Canada and Alberta invest in local infrastructure projects. These projects are vital to sustaining strong economic growth and quality of life in Canadian communities.
Under the initial CAMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $88 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs.
This year, the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta have each provided an additional $19 million to CAMRIF as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs.
The total amount available from CAMRIF, with federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in projects, is $321 million.
CAMRIF is implemented by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, and is administered by a joint secretariat.
Program Priorities
A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets green infrastructure projects that contribute to community economic development and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism and cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity.
At least 80 per cent of CAMRIF funding is dedicated to rural municipalities with a population of less than 250,000. The remaining 20 per cent is available to urban municipalities with a population greater than 250,000.
A total of $724,584 is also available to municipalities for Municipal Capacity Building projects. Projects may include, but are not limited to, the acquisition of infrastructure planning software, training to use that software, planning studies to determine the inventory and condition of infrastructure assets in the municipality or the development of a demand asset management system.
Local input and collaboration
CAMRIF is managed by a six member Management Committee consisting of two federal representatives, two provincial representatives, and two members representing Alberta's municipal associations-the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. The Management Committee develops the Management Committee guidelines and oversees the project review and selection process. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities. The deadline to submit applications for the second intake was May 31, 2007.
Environmental Assessment
CAMRIF projects are required to successfully complete applicable environmental assessment processes, and funding is conditional on compliance with all applicable federal and provincial requirements.
For more information
Contact the CAMRIF Secretariat by phone (toll free) at 1-800-396-0214, by e-mail at camrif@gov.ab.ca or visit the website http://www.camrif.ca/.
Information about Government of Canada and Alberta's infrastructure programs is available at http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/ and http://www.infratrans.gov.ab.ca/.
