May 09, 2008
Wabowden, Manitoba
The community of Wabowden will benefit from infrastructure project funding jointly announced today by the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba through the Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF). This joint funding exceeding $1.8 million is based on equal contributions from the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and local partners.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Steve Ashton, Manitoba Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Ron Lemieux, Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation; and the Honourable Senator Terry Stratton, 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.
"This is a significant investment in Wabowden's water treatment plant that will address current issues as well as the future needs of the residents for a secure system and safe water," said Minister Ashton. "Repairs will be made to the system and upgrades will see the installation of a treatment process more suited to the northern climate which means good quality water and an affordable supply."
"The Government of Canada, with our provincial and local partners, is helping northern communities like Wabowden address their pressing infrastructure needs to plan for a prosperous future," said Senator Stratton. "Through this joint investment of more than $1.8 million, Wabowden's upgraded water treatment plant will provide over 200 households currently connected to the system with better, safer and more affordable drinking water."
Wabowden, located 110 kilometres southwest of Thompson, Manitoba, will use this investment to upgrade its water treatment plant. The community's water treatment process will be improved to a proven secure system, particularly for northern regions, which prevents disease-causing micro organisms and viruses. Residents will have a safe, secure and affordable supply of drinking water that meets or exceeds all government health and safety standards.
This new green infrastructure project is part of $11 million in MRIF funding that has been announced in Fall 2007 to improve drinking water and enhance the environment in rural and northern communities by upgrading the quality of water and management of water, wastewater, and solid waste. These rounds of announcements are based on recommendations from the MRIF Rural/Northern Federal Provincial Local Consultative Committee (FPLCC). The FPLCC consists of local government representatives from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and the Northern Association of Community Councils (NACC). The FPLCC was created to provide local input and knowledge in the MRIF project selection process in Rural and Northern Manitoba.
"The AMM is pleased to be a part of a successful partnership bringing much-needed infrastructure investments to Manitoba communities," said Ron Bell, AMM President. "The project being announced today will help ensure healthy water for northern Manitoba residents using a proven water treatment process. The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund has made a significant contribution to our members' infrastructure needs and I look forward to seeing more funds dedicated to these types of projects in the future."
"We are very pleased to see the two levels of government joining in partnership to ensure the quality of life for Northern Manitobans," said Reg Meade, President of the Northern Association of Community Councils. "Clean safe drinking water is very important to our communities, many of which are isolated. We are proud to have played a role in securing this project as part of the FPLCC."
The Canada-Manitoba MRIF agreement is investing a total of $145 million in communities across Manitoba. Of the funds, 80 per cent are earmarked for communities with a population under 250,000, including 198 municipalities and 50 unincorporated Northern Community Councils in rural and northern Manitoba. The remaining 20 per cent of funds are awarded to communities with populations over 250,000.
More information on Canada and Manitoba infrastructure projects are available at: www.infrastructure.gc.ca and www.infrastructure.mb.ca.
For more information, contact:
Marcus Miller, Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Secretariat
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-8778
Cell: (204) 803-9456
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-4883
www.infrastructure.mb.ca
John Thorpe, Communications Coordinator
Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-4997
www.gov.mb.ca
Lee Gregg, Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 983-0701
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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