December 17, 2007
Town of Tofield, Alberta
The federal and provincial governments will invest $2.2 million to improve water and wastewater facilities and upgrade roads on the west-end of the Town of Tofield.
Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, 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 Iris Evans, Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry, and MLA for Sherwood Park, announced the funding through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
"This investment will support growth in the Town of Tofield by ensuring clean drinking water and safer roads for local residents," said MP Benoit. "Today's announcement demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to investing in infrastructure that helps build a stronger, more sustainable economy in Alberta."
This project will bring enhanced water, wastewater and road infrastructure improvements to Tofield residents and will ensure they have safe, clean drinking water, reliable wastewater systems, and safer roads that facilitate the efficient flow of goods throughout the region.
"In addition to a new sewer lift station and clean drinking water for residents of Tofield, road improvements in the town are another example of how we're continuing to improve infrastructure in the province," said Evans. "It 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 contributions, 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
Darcy ScottPublic Affairs OfficerAlberta Infrastructure and TransportationEdmonton, AlbertaTel: (780) 422-1173Cell: (780) 914-9040
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.
Town of Tofield
West-end Development Infrastructure UpgradeCombined federal/provincial investment: $2,233,332 (pending environmental assessment).
The Town of Tofield is experiencing significant growth on the west-end of the town. There are a number of residential, commercial and industrial development projects that are currently underway in the area. Tofield needs to supply the necessary infrastructure so that water and wastewater facilities meet environmental standards. The project will involve building a sewer lift station on Creamery Road and a water main from the service road to 52 Ave. The project also involves upgrading roads to accommodate the growth that is taking place in the areas of 52 Ave., 53 Ave. and Creamery Road.
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 Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund 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 (MCB) projects. Projects may include, but are not limited to: acquiring infrastructure planning software, delivering training to use this software, conducting planning studies to determine the inventory and condition of infrastructure assets in the municipality or developing 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 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/.
