WETASKIWIN, Alberta – The Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta announced four infrastructure projects today worth more than $3.2 million for the Wetaskiwin Region.

Blaine Calkins, Member of Parliament for Wetaskiwin, 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 LeRoy Johnson, MLA for Wetaskiwin-Camrose, announced the funding through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).

“Today’s announcement will provide the residents of Wetaskiwin County with a reliable waste management system, safer, more efficient roads, and enable the Village of Clive to better plan for their infrastructure needs,” said MP Calkins. “The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the Province of Alberta in making infrastructure investments that will provide significant and lasting benefits to the families in these communities.”

The upgrading of the waste management system for Wetaskiwin County will play a vital role in improving the economic and environmental efficiency of waste treatment in the transfer stations at Mulhurst, Lakedell, Winfield and West Buck Lake. This innovative waste treatment system will reduce transportation costs and make recycling a viable option for the County. More than 2,151 households will benefit from this project.

This investment will also enable the County to replace Bridge File 349 and upgrade Correction Line Road. These projects are expected to improve safety and enhance the response times for emergency vehicles. About 120 vehicles per day will cross the new Bridge, and over 367 vehicles per day are expected to use the safer and more efficient Correction Line Road.

The Municipal Capacity Building project will enable the Village of Clive to purchase an infrastructure planning software that will efficiently track the age and condition of infrastructure assets such as roads, water systems, sanitary sewers, storm management systems and buildings. This software will provide the Village with the tools to accurately forecast, budget and plan for their short and long-term infrastructure needs.

“Upgrading bridges, roads and waste management infrastructure will save Wetaskiwin County money and improve residents’ quality of life. Helping the Village of Clive with its infrastructure data base will ensure solid planning for the future,” said Johnson. “Supporting safe roads and clean water reflect Premier Ed Stelmach’s plan to secure Alberta’s future by building communities, greening our growth and creating opportunity.”

Under the initial CAMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $88 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to make up the remaining costs. This year, the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta have each provided an additional $19 million to the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. The total amount available from the CAMRIF, with federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in projects, is $321 million.

A minimum of 55 per cent of funding under CAMRIF targets green infrastructure projects that contribute to community economic development and environmental quality of life. These include water, wastewater, solid waste, environmental energy improvements and public transit. The fund also invests in recreational infrastructure, tourism, cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities.

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