Lacombe, Alberta, October 9, 2012 – Recent upgrades to Lacombe's sewer system will extend the life of the City's existing infrastructure, help lower operating costs and protect the surrounding environment. Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin, today visited Lacombe to recognize the successful completion of work.
"Support for local infrastructure improvements is part of our government's plan to create jobs, spur economic growth and ensure long-term prosperity for Albertans and all Canadians,"
said MP Calkins. "With these upgrades complete, Lacombe residents will benefit from better service and reduced maintenance costs."
This project involved twinning approximately 650 metres of Lacombe's main sewer pipeline to increase the system's capacity and extend the life of Lacombe's infrastructure. The completion of these upgrades will also improve the City's ability to perform maintenance on this section of the pipeline without interrupting service to residents.
"The Government of Alberta is pleased to continue to work in co-operation with the federal government on funding programs that benefit Alberta communities,"
said Ric McIver, Minister of Alberta Transportation. "The upgrades to Lacombe's sewer system will have long-term benefits for residents and this supports our government's priority of investing in families and communities."
The Government of Canada is providing $617,000 through the federal Gas Tax Fund, covering 100 percent of the project cost.
"We're pleased to have access to gas tax funding in order to perform these vital upgrades as part of our 2012 Capital Works program,"
said Mayor Steve Christie. "As well, the recent changes to the Gas Tax Fund bring us closer to long-term predictable funding for municipalities."
Canada's Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. In December 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion per year.
The Government of Canada has engaged provinces, territories, municipalities and key stakeholders in a series of roundtables to guide the development of a new long-term infrastructure plan that will support job creation, economic growth and prosperity. We have heard that we are on the right track: there is a need for strong, sustained investment and we must continue to work together moving forward. To improve infrastructure across Canada and leverage new investment, our new long-term plan will encourage greater use of public-private partnerships, while respecting the capacity of Canadian taxpayers. The City of Lacombe is a vibrant, fast-growing community of over 11,700 residents that welcomes innovation and enterprise while honouring its architectural and historical heritage. Alberta's newest city offers a rich natural environment of lakes and green spaces, along with an unrivalled range of lifestyle amenities and recreational opportunities. Lacombe offers modern subdivisions, a full range of schools, the Canadian University College, a hospital and first-class recreation facilities. The high quality of life in this picturesque community makes it an ideal location to live, work, learn and invest in.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information about Lacombe, please visit www.lacombe.ca.
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Parker Hogan
Press Secretary, Minister of Alberta Transportation
780-643-9134
780-914-2869 (cell)
Jordon Thompson
Engineering Services Manager, City of Lacombe
403-782-1268
403-782-5655 (fax)
jthompson@lacombe.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
