December 07, 2007
Chemainus, British Columbia – James Lunney, MP
for Nanaimo-Alberni, and Ron Cantelon, MLA for Nanaimo-Parksville, today
announced that the federal and provincial governments are improving drinking
water quality for residents in the District of North Cowichan by investing
more than $3 million.
“Upgrades to the Chemainus and Crofton wastewater treatment facilities
will connect an additional 445 households to the municipal system and
ensure a reliable source of clean drinking water for approximately 4,150
residents in the community,” said MP James Lunney 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 to make lasting
improvements to the infrastructure of North Cowichan. We are delivering
on our promise to help communities become vibrant and productive places
to live, work and raise families.”
The Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) investment
will improve wastewater treatment capabilities and increase treatment
capacity at both existing water treatment facilities. In addition, the
biosolids produced from the treatment process will be used for composting.
The funding for this project is conditionally approved pending the successful
completion of an environmental assessment.
“By funding this project, we’re taking another important
step toward B.C.’s goal of leading the world in sustainable environmental
management,” said Cantelon. “We are pleased to partner with
the federal government and North Cowichan District to make this a greener,
healthier community for residents. Over the course of the past two months,
we have delivered more than $7.7 million in MRIF funds to communities
such as Lantzville, Comox and Gold River.”
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.
For additional information, contact:
Karl Yeh
Western Economic Diversification Canada
604 666-4714
Marc Black
B.C. Ministry of Community Services
250 356-6334
