Canada and Alberta invest in healthier communities with recreation and water infrastructure for residents of southeastern Alberta
News release
Taber, Alberta, August 4, 2020— The governments of Canada and Alberta recognize the different ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities across the province. Both governments are making strategic investments in infrastructure to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done to help them strengthen their local economies.
Strategic investments in creating safe gathering spaces and a reliable water supply will play a key role in ensuring southeastern Alberta residents have modern facilities to support healthy communities.
Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development; and the Honourable Prasad Panda, Minister of Infrastructure for Alberta, announced funding for six projects that will help create healthier communities in southeastern Alberta.
To ensure access to safe and reliable drinking water, a new C02 injector pump will be installed in the Town of Taber’s water treatment plant facility. The Town will also build an engineered wetland to manage excess storm water during excessive rainfall.
In addition, the construction of a concrete spillway and upgrades to canals attached to Taber Lake will reduce future flooding risks.
In Raymond, the expansion of the wastewater treatment system will increase the treatment capacity of the Town to service the community. Brooks will also improve its ability to treat wastewater. The Municipal District of Acadia No. 34 will build a new community hall in replacement of the current building to better suit the community’s needs.
These projects will create immediate and long-term jobs and better protect the environment and the well-being of Albertans.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $16.7 million in these projects through the Green Infrastructure Streams (GIS) and the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Alberta is providing over $15 million, while municipalities and communities are contributing more than $11.2 million.
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Quotes
“Clean drinking water, and effective wastewater treatment are essential building blocks of strong communities. Our investments in water infrastructure projects in Taber, along with the other projects we are announcing today, will make a real difference in people’s lives for years to come. They will also help support local economies. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds stronger communities.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“Rural communities are an integral part of our country, and they have been impacted by COVID-19 in unprecedented ways. This is why support for community facilities like the new Acadia Valley Community Hall is so important to help communities stay strong, vibrant, and resilient. It is equally important that we continue investments in important water infrastructure, like the Town of Taber Water Treatment Plant. Since November 2015, the Government of Canada has invested in 227 infrastructure projects, including 68 clean water and wastewater projects, in rural communities in Alberta to strengthen local economies and improve quality of life.”
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
“Building vital infrastructure is a key part of Alberta’s recovery plan. Ensuring communities and organizations can get started on the planning and construction of these ICIP projects figures prominently in our plan to create needed jobs and boost local economies where it matters most.”
The Honourable Prasad Panda, Minister of Infrastructure for Alberta
Quick facts
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Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
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$2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity.
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The Government of Canada has invested more than $4.6 billion in over 285 infrastructure projects across Alberta under the Investing in Canada plan.
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The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.
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Contacts
Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-941-0660
Chantalle.Aubertin@canada.ca
Marie-Pier Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic
Development
613-295-8123
Marie-Pier.Baril@cfc-swc.gc.ca
Hadyn Place
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure
780-643-6322
Hadyn.Place@gov.ab.ca
Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
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