January 24, 2008
Camrose, Alberta
The federal and provincial governments will jointly invest $450,000 to build a public transit system in Camrose and to develop roadside infrastructure management software for the County of Stettler.
Kevin Sorenson, Member of Parliament for Crowfoot, 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 Jack Hayden, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler, on behalf of Luke Ouellette, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, announced the funding today through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
"Building a transit system in Camrose will help reduce traffic congestion and facilitate mobility for non-drivers. Meanwhile, with new roadside infrastructure inventory, the County of Stettler will be better equipped to budget and plan for their short and long-term growth," said MP Sorenson. "Today's announcement demonstrates our government's commitment to improving the sustainability and viability of local communities through infrastructure investments."
The Camrose Public Transit System project will include the purchase of three 18-to 24-passenger wheelchair lift equipped transit buses. These buses will be powered by a diesel engine that can also use low-sulphur diesel fuel or bio-diesel fuel once these alternative fuels become available in Camrose. The project will also include the installation of 60 formal bus stop locations, four passenger shelters at high-traffic locations and two bus pull-out lanes on the City's busiest roadway.
The County of Stettler received funding for the development of roadside infrastructure inventory software that will improve its tracking and management of assets and projects.
"Both of these investments support employment and economic growth for the benefit of all residents of Camrose and Stettler," said Hayden "Increasing access to public transportation and improving infrastructure planning reflect 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 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.
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
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 projects are receiving funding under the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
Town of Camrose Camrose Public Transit SystemCombined federal / provincial investment: $333,332
This project will include the purchase of three 18 to 24-passenger wheelchair lift equipped light-duty transit buses. The buses will be powered by a conventional diesel engine that is also suited to use low-sulphur diesel fuel or bio-diesel fuel once access to those alternative fuels becomes readily available in Camrose. This project will also include the installation of 60 formal bus stop locations (with adequate signage and permanent concrete waiting areas), the installation of benches at approximately 70 per cent of those stops, the installation of four passenger shelters at high-traffic locations (including at all proposed transfer locations), and the installation of two bus pull-out lanes along 48 Avenue (Highway 13 within the Camrose city limits) which is the busiest roadway within the City.
County of Stettler IMS Solution (Municipal Capacity Building)Combined federal / provincial investment: $116,666
Funding will support the purchase of new software to improve the management of municipal assets and infrastructure, which will contribute to improved information collection and planning.
Fact Sheet
Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)
Partnership Program
The Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (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, 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 Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund 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/.
