September 25, 2009
St. Walburg, Saskatchewan
The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are delivering investments to upgrade water treatment facilities and roads in the communities of St. Walburg, Vibank, and the Rural Municipality of Beaver River. Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminster and Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs, announced the project today.
“Our Conservative Government is working with the Saskatchewan Government to make key investments in water treatment plants and road construction to strengthen our communities and create jobs,” said Minister Ritz. “These investments make sure Canada will come out of the current economic uncertainty stronger than ever.”
“Our provincial government continues to move forward, building on the economic momentum in Saskatchewan,” said the Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "These major projects promote tourism, provide safe drinking water, and help grow Saskatchewan’s economy. Working together, we are helping ensure Saskatchewan people benefit and that Saskatchewan is ready for growth."
A shared federal-provincial investment of almost $2.4 million will result in upgrades to the water treatment plant in St. Walburg, construction of a new well and reverse osmosis treatment system in Vibank and upgrades to Hinterland Road in the RM of Beaver River. Funding for these projects is allocated from the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF). The respective municipalities will contribute a total of $3 million to these infrastructure projects.
“The Town of St. Walburg was in dire straits, so we are more than grateful for this funding. This upgrade to the water plant will prevent the Town from going on a boil water notice. This project will be more cost efficient in both capital and operational expenditures and would be a first for a municipal water supply in Canada,” said Councilor Antony “Tony” Leeson.
In response to the economic downturn, the Government of Canada has accelerated and expanded its investments for new infrastructure funding. The immediate jobs created in the construction and engineering sectors are stimulating local economies and generating spin-offs that benefit other local industries.
Through the Building Canada Plan, the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have taken steps to get shovels in the ground and to flow money faster for targeted infrastructure projects in Saskatchewan communities.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (306) 975-5942
Jeff Welke
Executive Director, Communications
Saskatchewan Ministry of Municipal Affairs
Regina, Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 787-6156
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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