Mayerthorpe, Alberta, October 14, 2011 – Residents of Mayerthorpe will now benefit from a more sustainable wastewater system thanks to investments from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
The Honourable Rob Merrifield, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, the Honourable George VanderBurg, MLA for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne, and Mayerthorpe Mayor Kim Connell were on hand today to take part in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the town’s newly-replaced sewer mains, and upgraded wastewater lift station and sewage lagoon.
“We are thrilled to support projects like this one that will have lasting effects on communities like Mayerthorpe,” said MP Merrifield, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “These wastewater upgrades will not only promote future development for Mayerthorpe but will also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable sewer system.”
“This project is about supporting public safety, protecting the environment and promoting a green future for Mayerthorpe,” said MLA VanderBurg. “The significant improvements to the wastewater system will enable the town to promote development and this will benefit the local economy. And all of these factors will enhance the quality of life of residents.”
“This upgrade places Mayerthorpe in position to move forward with confidence. Knowing that our infrastructure will not have major failure and can support our needs well into the future places us in a position envied by many,” said Mayor Connell. “Our thanks to both the Honourable Rob Merrifield, MP and MLA George VanderBurg for their support of the Canada/Alberta Infrastructure Stimulus funding, which drove this project forward.”
These important upgrades will reduce incidents of untreated wastewater contamination due to sewer overflow and runoff, enhance public health, protect the environment, and improve the quality of life of citizens within the community. This project will also have a positive impact on the community’s ability to sustain continued growth in its residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
The governments ofCanadaandAlbertaeach contributed up to $970,000 toward eligible project costs of $2.9 million, with the federal contribution coming from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The Town ofMayerthorpecontributed the remaining one third.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is funding more than 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country. Since April 2009, 252 projects acrossAlbertahave received a total federal commitment of over $421 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
TheAlbertagovernment is working to build a betterAlbertaby fostering economic growth, strengthening our health and education systems, investing in infrastructure, supporting safe and strong communities and ensuring a clean and healthy environment.
For further information on Infrastructure Canada’s investments in Alberta, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Pierre Floréa
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Martin Dupuis
Alberta Transportation
780-427-1938
Cell: 780-916-9625
Karen St. Martin
Chief Administrative Officer
Town ofMayerthorpe
780-786-2416
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
