February 18, 2009
Victoria, British Columbia
The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, along with Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon and Community Development Minister Kevin Krueger, announced an investment of over $110 million for 41 infrastructure projects to help smaller communities throughout British Columbia meet their pressing infrastructure needs, help stimulate the economy and support continued economic growth.
"We are teaming up with the B.C. government and local governments to deliver results to British Columbians by building roads, bridges and water systems," said Day. "The combined investment of more than $175 million from the three levels of government will make a difference in our B.C. communities by creating jobs, improving our quality of life, and helping our economy now and for years to come."
"The B.C. government has been working with the Government of Canada to get these dollars flowing quickly into communities across the province," said Falcon. "Not only are these projects important improvements to local infrastructure, they're an important stimulus to local economies, and it's estimated that this investment will create 1,750 direct and indirect jobs."
As an example of a project that will be funded, the City of Kamloops will receive $14.2 million from the federal and provincial governments to upgrade and update the existing wastewater treatment plant to provide tertiary treatment and nutrient management. The project benefits the 85,000 people served by the treatment plant as well as residents of surrounding rural areas who rely on the plant for their sewage disposal. The upgrades will reduce greenhouse gas emissions through methane capture, allow for the reuse of reclaimed wastewater effluent and composted sludge, and increase effluent quality for the protection of the Thompson River.
The federal and provincial governments are providing up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs, with local governments covering the remainder of project funding. Together with funds from the communities, the investment in community infrastructure will total more than $175 million.
"Local governments receiving this funding will be glad to know that the decisions have been made and that the projects can begin shortly," said Union of B.C. Municipalities president Robert Hobson. "Funding through the Communities Component will provide some welcome support to a number of communities across B.C."
Communities that applied in the first intake will be informed within the next couple of weeks as to the status of their applications. The federal and provincial governments will launch a second intake soon and will consider applications received by March 16 for the next round of approvals. Applications received after that date but by the deadline of April 24 will be considered in a subsequent round of approvals from this intake.
For more information on the Building Canada plan and the next intake, visit http://www.buildingcanada.gc.ca/ or www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca/.
Contact:
Chris Day, Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613 991-0700
Dave Crebo
Communications Director
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 387-7787
WD Toll-Free Number: 1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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