Northern Alberta residents will get low-fare transit and safer roads
March 13, 2007

Fort McMurray, Alberta – Residents of Wood Buffalo, Town of High Prairie and Municipal District of Big Lakes will benefit from three municipal infrastructure projects that will provide safer roads, more affordable transit and increased recreational and cultural opportunities.

A combined federal/provincial investment of more than $3.3 million towards the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s Urban Road Rehabilitation Program will enable repairs, surface rehabilitation, line painting, and curb and sidewalk replacement on various roads.

A combined federal/provincial investment of $843,332 in the Town of High Prairie will construct a second ice surface and performing arts centre, while a combined investment of $666,666 in the Municipal District of Big Lakes will provide a low-fare transit option for residents.

Through the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF), the federal and provincial governments will each contribute a total of more than $2.4 million to the three projects.

Brian Jean, Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray–Athabasca, 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, MLA for Lesser Slave Lake , on behalf of Luke Ouellette, Minister of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, made the joint announcement today.

“Canada’s New Government is getting things done for the people of Northern Alberta,” said MP Jean. “Today’s combined federal/provincial investment of more than $4.8 million will improve quality of life for residents by providing better transportation infrastructure, as well as more recreational and cultural opportunities.”

“Managing growth pressures and improving Albertans’ quality of life are two of the Alberta government’s five priorities identified by Premier Ed Stelmach,” said MLA Calahasen. “Today’s investments translate into improved roads for the people of Fort McMurray, an affordable ride for people in the Municipal District of Big Lakes, and new entertainment and recreational facilities for the people of High Prairie.”

The Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a joint initiative between the Governments of Canada and Alberta that enables communities to address local infrastructure needs. Over the course of CAMRIF, the federal and provincial governments will each contribute $88 million in funding for municipal infrastructure renewal.

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 and cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities.

-30-

Contacts:

Donna Kinley
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (708) 495-6892

Jerry Bellikka
Communications Director
Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 415-1841


Backgrounder: Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)

The following projects are receiving funding under the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF).

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

2007 Urban Road Rehabilitation Program
Combined federal / provincial investment: $3,333,332

This project involves utility repairs, surface rehabilitation, line painting, curb and sidewalk replacement where needed.

Town of High Prairie

Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre
Combined federal / provincial investment: $843,332

The Town of High Prairie, in partnership with the Municipal District of Big Lakes and the High Prairie and District Sports Complex Society, will construct a second ice surface and performing arts centre within the town of High Prairie.

MD of Big Lakes

Big Lakes Transit
Combined federal / provincial investment $666,666

This project will provide a regular low-fare transit option for residents of the Village of Kinuso, the town of High Prairie, the M.D. of Big Lakes and hamlets of Enilda, Faust, Grouard, and Joussard.


Fact Sheet: Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF)

Partnership Program

  • The Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CAMRIF) is designed to address local infrastructure needs in rural and urban Alberta. It ensures all Albertans, whether they live in large, small or remote communities, share in the benefits of infrastructure investments.
  • Through the fund, the Governments of Canada and Alberta invest in local infrastructure projects. These projects are vital to sustaining strong economic growth and quality of life in Canadian communities.
  • The federal-provincial CAMRIF Agreement provides $88 million each in federal and provincial funding for municipal infrastructure renewal, reflecting shared federal and provincial priorities. With matching one-third contributions from municipalities, total program funding will be at least $264 million.
  • CAMRIF is implemented by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, and is administered by a joint secretariat.

Program Priorities

  • 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 and cultural projects, local roads and broadband connectivity.
  • At least 80 per cent of CAMRIF funding is dedicated to rural municipalities with a population of less than 250,000. The remaining 20 per cent is available to urban municipalities with a population greater than 250,000.
  • A total of $1,760,000 is also available to municipalities for Municipal Capacity Building (MCB) projects. Projects may include, but is not limited to, the acquisition of infrastructure planning software, training to use that software, planning studies to determine the inventory and condition of infrastructure assets in the municipality or the development of a demand asset management system.


Local input and collaboration

  • CAMRIF is managed by a six member Management Committee consisting of two federal representatives, two provincial representatives, and two members representing Alberta’s municipal associations—the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. The Management Committee develops the Management Committee guidelines and oversees the project review and selection process. Projects are selected on a competitive basis from applications received from Alberta communities. The deadline to submit applications for the first intake was July 31, 2006.
  • Applications for the second intake will be accepted in Spring 2007.


Environmental Assessment

  • CAMRIF projects are required to successfully complete applicable environmental assessment processes, and funding is conditional on compliance with all applicable federal and provincial requirements.


How to apply

  • For more information, contact the Canada-Alberta Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Joint Secretariat by phone (toll free) at 1-800-396-0214, by e-mail at camrif@gov.ab.ca or visit the website www.camrif.ca.