January 23, 2008
Drumheller, Alberta
The federal and provincial governments will invest more than $6 million in infrastructure projects in the towns of Drumheller and Chestermere and the villages of Rockyford and Veteran, Alberta.
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 through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
"Today's announcement reflects our government's commitment to invest in infrastructure projects which will improve the sustainability and viability of local communities," said MP Sorenson. "We are working in partnership to make investments which have real and lasting benefits to the communities we serve."
To meet the rapid growth of the Town of Drumheller, an infrastructure investment has been made towards upgrading the local wastewater treatment plant. This project will increase the capacity of the plant, which will ensure the health, safety and protection of the environment for the town and surrounding areas. When complete, 2,700 existing households and 1,700 new households will have access to a higher quality wastewater system.
The Villages of Rockyford, Veteran and the Town of Chestermere received funding to acquire infrastructure inventory software to improve tracking and management of the communities' infrastructure needs and expenditures.
"Investing in Drumheller's wastewater treatment plant will increase the town's sewage treatment capacity and better protect the Red Deer River. Helping the villages of Rockyford, Veteran and Chestermere update their infrastructure data bases will improve their planning for the future," said Hayden. "These investments projects 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 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.
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 Drumheller Drumheller Waste Water Treatment Plant UpgradesCombined federal / provincial investment: $6,000,000 (pending environmental assessment)
The upgrading of the Drumheller Wastewater Treatment Plant will accommodate the increased flow and treatment requirements for the plant due to the rapid growth in the community and the centralization of wastewater treatment in the town. When the project is complete, it is expected that 2,700 existing households and 1,700 new households will have access to a higher quality wastewater system.
Village of Rockyford
Rockyford Capacity BuildingCombined federal / provincial investment: $100,000
The acquisition of infrastructure inventory software and the detailed collection of infrastructure inventory data will allow the municipality to better plan for its short-term and long-term infrastructure needs.
Town of Chestermere
Infrastructure Inventory for the Town of ChestermereCombined federal / provincial investment: $60,000
An infrastructure inventory program will be developed for all existing infrastructure of the Town. The inventory will be updated at regular intervals so that a responsive long-term capital plan can be prepared and maintenance projects can be undertaken effectively and efficiently.
Village of Veteran
Management of Municipal AssetsCombined federal / provincial investment: $10,000
The acquisition of infrastructure inventory software will allow the Village to effectively track and manage municipal assets.
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 is 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/.
