Batiscan, March 17, 2008 – Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier of Quebec and Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, Julie Boulet, Ministre des Transports, Ministre de la région de la Mauricie and Member of the National Assembly for Laviolette, today joined Daniel Petit, Member of Parliament for Charlesbourg–Haute-Saint-Charles, acting on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the Municipality of Batiscan will receive $557,074 in joint government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) for waterworks upgrades.
These funds will be used to replace several segments of the existing water pipes under Principale Street with a larger-diameter water main spanning a distance of some 1,030 metres, as well as to carry out various complementary works. These upgrades, which will directly benefit some 1,000 residents, will serve to improve water pressure and ensure better fire protection in the municipality.
Completion of this project will necessitate a total eligible investment of $835,610 under component 1 of the MRIF. As such, the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada will each contribute $278,537 toward these works, for a total of $557,074 in combined government funding, while the Municipality of Batiscan will assume $278,536 of the project's costs.
Batiscan Mayor Christian Fortin said he is delighted to see this project move forward, as it is considered a key priority for the development of the municipality and well-being of its local population.
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada. The recent injection of an additional $80 million into component 3 of the MRIF brings to $470 million the total amount of financial assistance available under the Fund. With the financial participation of municipalities and organizations, this initiative could result in the execution of more than $700 million in infrastructure work. The objectives of the MRIF are to upgrade community infrastructure, improve the quality of the environment, promote long-term economic growth and enhance citizens' quality of life.
The program, which is in force until March 31, 2010, is administered by Quebec's Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions.
Canada Economic Development is responsible for delivering the federal portion of the MRIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.
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Source:
Johanne Levesque
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions
514-873-6910
Jonathan Trudeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier and Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions
418-691-2050
514-873-2622
Jean-Philippe Payment
Press Secretary
Office of the
Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
819-953-5646
Marie-Claude Lemire
Communications Advisor
Canada Economic Development
514-283-2199
