Released on September 14, 2007
Residents of Yorkton and Melville-area municipalities will benefit from more than $1 million in federal and provincial funding for eight infrastructure projects through the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
Today's announcement includes more than $404,000 for the Town of Kamsack to complete upgrades to its water pumping system and over $223,000 for the RM of Lakeview for road construction. A full list of project descriptions and grants is attached.
The investment was announced today by Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Regina Rosemont MLA Joanne Crofford on behalf of Government Relations Minister Harry Van Mulligen.
"The federal government is focused on improving Saskatchewan infrastructure that has been neglected for too long," said Breitkreuz. "This federal-provincial investment will bring safer roads and a modernized water system to areas that can leverage the improvements to grow their local economies. It follows up on the federal government's ongoing commitment to enhance the quality of life for the people of Saskatchewan."
"I'm proud the Provincial Government is putting money toward important projects that improve out quality of life in rural communities," Crofford said. "Together with communities, our government is focused on projects that have real and lasting benefits, including road improvement and upgrades to water systems."
"The Town of Kamsack is extremely appreciative of the additional funding made available for assisting us in the completion of our water project," Kamsack Mayor Darryl Binkley said. "This funding will significantly ease the burden on our local taxpayers."
Under the initial Canada-Saskatchewan MRIF Agreement, the federal and provincial governments committed a combined $76 million to the fund, with participating communities contributing one-half of all costs, raising the total infrastructure investment to over $152 million.
This year, Canada's New Government and the Government of Saskatchewan have provided an additional $14.9 million to the fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their infrastructure needs. This additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment in MRIF projects to over $90.9 million.
These projects are an example of how MRIF is supporting a stronger, safer and better province through infrastructure projects that provide cleaner air and water, a stronger economy and a better quality of life for our communities.
Before receiving final approval, community projects undergo a review process under both the Canadian Environment Assessment Act and The Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan).
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For more information, contact:
Brenda Tarasiuk
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-5943
Tyler McMurchy
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5193
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-7051