December 18, 2007
Summit Lake, British Columbia
There will be a new community wastewater system in Summit Lake thanks to more than $1.6 million in combined federal and provincial funding to the Regional District of Fraser Fort George. The Honourable Jay Hill, Secretary of State and Chief Government Whip, and Pat Bell, MLA Prince George North, announced the funding through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) today.
"This new community sewer system for Summit Lake will help protect the environment while providing residents with a safe and reliable wastewater system," said Mr. Hill, 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. "The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the Province of British Columbia to help communities become vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families."
The funding will help the Regional District of Fraser Fort George construct a sewer system that will improve wastewater treatment and protect Summit Lake from environmental damage. This project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.
"This has been a priority for me for four years. We have had a series of meetings at Summit Lake and the importance for this project is reflected by today's commitment," said Bell. "I want to congratulate all of the residents for their willingness to think outside the box to create a solution that will improve the water quality in the Lake." Under the initial CBCMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $51 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 B.C. have each provided an additional $23.5 million to the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in CBCMRIF projects to over $220 million.
The majority of the funding is targeted towards communities of fewer than 250,000 people and at least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with "green projects" such as improving drinking water quality and wastewater and energy projects. The remaining funds will be dedicated to other projects like tourism, recreation and other infrastructure.
More details on the program are available through the Canada-British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund website, at http://www.canadabcmrif.ca/.
For more information, contact:
Karl YehWestern Economic Diversification Canada604 666-4714
Marc BlackB.C. Ministry of Community Services250 356-6334
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
