The Métis Settlement of Gift Lake will benefit from a joint federal-provincial investment, through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF), for upgrades to the community's North and South access roads.
The investment of $2.3 million was announced today by Brian Jean, Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray-Athabasca and Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, 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.
"Today's joint investment will result in safer, more efficient roads for local residents and industry," said MP Jean. "The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the Province of Alberta to ensure our communities remain safe and productive places to live, work and raise families."
The upgrades to the North and South access roads will help enhance the safety of local residents and support the growth and development of the community. Approximately 600 vehicles per day are expected to have access to the safer and more efficient roads. The project will also extend existing paved walking trails along the access roads and within the community.
"This road infrastructure investment will help improve traffic safety for the community of Gift Lake", said MLA Calahasen. "In addition to the roads, paved walking trails will provide recreational opportunities that contribute to the health and well-being of the Gift Lake community."
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 Gift Lake
North Access Road and South Access Road Overlay
Combined federal / provincial investment: $2,304,936 (pending environmental assessment)
The project will consist of an upgrade to the North Access road from a graveled surface to a 9.5 metre paved surface, an extension of the existing paved walking trails along the access roads and within the community, and a pavement overlay on the South Access road and the main road within the community.
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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