January 17, 2008
County of Grande Prairie, Alberta
The federal and provincial governments will invest $5.3 million to build a distribution system to deliver water from the City of Grande Prairie's water supply to residents in the County of Grand Prairie.
The funding will be provided through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF) and was announced today by Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Peace River 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 Gordon Graydon, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti.
"Safe, clean drinking water for the residents of the County of Grande Prairie cannot be understated," said MP Warkentin. "The Government of Canada is improving the sustainability and viability of local communities through infrastructure investments such as this, which will ensure 290 households have access to higher quality drinking water."
This low-pressure water main system will deliver water from the City system to local households. Residents who currently rely on private wells for their water needs will no longer be required to rely on secondary treatment or delivery of water to their homes.
"Water is a necessity that many of us take for granted. We are proud to be part of a project which brings potable water to the residents of the County of Grande Prairie," said Graydon. "This project 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 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 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
Jerry BellikkaDirector of CommunicationsAlberta Infrastructure and TransportationEdmonton, Alberta(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 the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
County of Grande Prairie West Aqua Water Co-OperativeCombined federal / provincial investment: $5,333,332 (pending environmental assessment)
Currently, residents of the County of Grande Prairie rely on private wells for their water, which is often treated by private systems in the residences before being used. A water distribution system delivering water from the city will ensure County residents have quality water without having to rely on secondary treatment or delivery. The installation of a low-pressure water main system will service about 290 private lots and could be expanded to service up to 330 lots.
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 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 (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/.
