December 19, 2007
Norglenwold, Alberta
The federal and provincial governments will invest $1.6 million to build and install a wastewater collection system in the Summer Village of Norglenwold.
Bob Mills, Member of Parliament for Red Deer, 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 the Honourable Luke Ouellette, Minister of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation and MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, announced the funding through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
"Today's investment will help ensure the residents of Norglenwold have a safe and reliable wastewater system that will also protect the area's natural beauty," said MP Mills. "The Government of Canada is working in partnership to invest in infrastructure that supports a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and more prosperous communities."
Norglenwold's new wastewater system will benefit local residents by allowing 141 households to connect to a centralized sanitary system. The environment of the entire Sylvan Lake area will also benefit from the removal of septic fields and a decrease in emissions resulting from transport trucks. The project supports the Summer Village of Norglenwold's commitment to eliminating private sewage systems and protecting groundwater from contamination.
"This new project is a huge investment in the quality of life of the residents of Norglenwold," said Ouellette. "Providing communities with safe water and wastewater management 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 Fund, 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 Manager Western Economic Diversification Canada Edmonton, AlbertaTel: (780) 495-6892Cell: (780) 991-7432
Jerry BellikkaDirector of CommunicationsAlberta Infrastructure and TransportationEdmonton, AlbertaTel: (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:
Summer Village of Norglenwold Norglenwold Wastewater Project
Combined federal / provincial investment: $1,598,692 (pending environmental assessment)
This green project will involve the construction/installation of a centralized wastewater collection system and enable all of the remaining 141 lots in Norglenwold to connect to the collection system. The project will help eliminate the current private sewage systems and help protect groundwater aquifers from contamination. Wastewater will be consolidated, removed from the vicinity of Sylvan Lake and dealt with in a safe and efficient manner.
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 the 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.
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 is 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 Joint 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/.
