Safer roads in the Métis Settlement of Gift Lake

May 20, 2008

Métis Settlement of Gift Lake, Alberta – The Métis Settlement of Gift Lake will benefit from a joint federal-provincial investment, through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF), for upgrades to the community’s North and South access roads.

The investment of $2.3 million was announced today by Brian Jean, Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray–Athabasca and Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, 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 Pearl Calahasen, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lesser Slave Lake.

“Today’s joint investment will result in safer, more efficient roads for local residents and industry,” said MP Jean. “The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the Province of Alberta to ensure our communities remain safe and productive places to live, work and raise families.”

The upgrades to the North and South access roads will help enhance the safety of local residents and support the growth and development of the community. Approximately 600 vehicles per day are expected to have access to the safer and more efficient roads. The project will also extend existing paved walking trails along the access roads and within the community.

“This road infrastructure investment will help improve traffic safety for the community of Gift Lake”, said MLA Calahasen. “In addition to the roads, paved walking trails will provide recreational opportunities that contribute to the health and well-being of the Gift Lake community.”

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. In April 2007, the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta 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.