December 20, 2007
Lillooet, British Columbia
The community of Lillooet will upgrade its water system and lift a long-term boil water advisory thanks to a joint investment of $380,000 in federal and provincial funding. The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Kevin Krueger, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson and Minister of State for Mining made the announcement today.
"This project will improve water quality for the entire community of Lillooet and provide residents with a source of reliable water," said Minister Strahl 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 work in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, to build healthy and sustainable communities in British Columbia."
This project will improve Lillooet's water system as part of a larger project to develop additional groundwater sources within the District. Specifically, this project will integrate the Central North Lillooet water systems, decommission the Dickey Creek intake, construct a booster pump station and install 450 metres of water main. The funding for this project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.
"Making sure B.C. communities have access to safe and clean drinking water is one of the ways our government is striving to lead the way in sustainable environmental management," said MLA Krueger. "This funding builds on the reliability of Lillooet's drinking water system capacity, further improving community sustainability."
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. The total amount available from the CBCMRIF, with federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in projects, is 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 drinking water supply, treatment and distribution needs as well as wastewater and energy efficiency 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 www.canadabcmrif.ca.
Contacts:
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.
