January 21, 2008
Keremeos, British Columbia
A federal and provincial investment of more than $685,000 will help Keremeos extend its sewer to the Upper Bench area, helping to protect the community's water supply from risk of contamination. The funding is being provided through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF), which enables communities across B.C. to become healthier, greener and more sustainable places to live.
The announcement was made today by Ed Fast, Member of Parliament for Abbotsford and Rick Thorpe, Okanagan-Westside MLA and Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform.
Approximately 250 people will benefit from the sewer extension, which includes a new pump station, 1.2 kilometres of sewer pipe, manholes, inspection chambers and service connections. Improved septic systems will also protect the community's drinking water wells.
"This project will expand water services and improve its quality for residents of Keremeos," said MP Fast 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. "By funding projects such as this, we are delivering on our promise to help communities grow as vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families."
"There is nothing more important to a thriving community than a clean, reliable source of drinking water and we're pleased, through this project, to be protecting that resource," said Thorpe, on behalf of Community Services Minister Ida Chong. "This project will make a tremendous difference to the health and sustainability of the community by removing threats to the ground water wells that supply the community's drinking water."
"The Village of Keremeos is very pleased to participate with both the Federal and Provincial governments in a joint venture to reduce the number of aging septic systems in the easterly section of the municipality in the proximity of the Keremeos Irrigation District's well," says Walter Despot, Mayor of Keremeos. "This sewer service extension will allow our municipality to further protect our drinking water source and allow us to continue expanding our waste water collection system."
The majority of the program funding from the CBCMRIF, which was launched in June 2006, supports communities of fewer than 250,000 people in minimizing the costs to taxpayers of local infrastructure upgrades or new construction projects.
At least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with "green projects" that are geared towards enhancing environmental sustainability, such as water and waste-water systems, public transit and environmental energy improvements. Other infrastructure projects will support local roads, cultural and recreational facilities, tourism and broadband connectivity. The funding for this project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.
The total amount available through the CBCMRIF, with federal and provincial investments and matching local government contribution, is over $220 million. More details on the program are available online at http://www.canadabcmrif.ca/.
Media Contacts:
Jackie StewartWestern Economic Diversification Canada604 666-1306
Marc BlackB.C. Ministry of Community Services250 356-6334
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
