The Métis Settlement of Peavine will be able to equip its local community arena, thanks to a joint federal and provincial investment, through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
The investment of $1.8 million was announced today by Brian Jean, MP for Fort McMurray-Athabasca and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, 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 Pearl Calahasen, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lesser Slave Lake.
"Investing in this arena is an investment in the quality of life for the residents of the Metis Settlement of Peavine", said Parliamentary Secretary Brian Jean. "Our government is pleased to provide this community with increased access to fitness, recreational and social opportunities through this long-term infrastructure investment."
The facility will offer increased recreational opportunities and improved access to programs that promote the athletic development for residents. The community's population, in which 44 per cent residents are under the age of 19, will also benefit from the expanded availability of the arena to a greater number of residents.
"This investment in Peavine's arena will provide the community with a sense of pride as well as an improved quality of life," said MLA Pearl Calahasen. "The enhancements will lead to increased physical activity that will contribute to the health and well-being of the whole area."
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. In April 2007, the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta 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 Kinley
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Cell: (780) 991-7432
Jerry Bellikka
Director of Communications
Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation
Edmonton, Alberta
(780) 415-1841
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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The following project is receiving funding under the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).
Metis Settlement of Peavine
Community Arena Project
Combined federal/provincial investment: $1,806,136 (pending environmental assessment)
The project will complete the interior development of a hockey/skating arena to meet the athletic and recreational needs of residents in this rapidly growing community. The location of this facility within the community will also expand the use and availability of the arena to a greater number of residents and significantly reduce the need to travel.
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.
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