The City of Quesnel will receive $460,000 from the federal and provincial governments to improve the reliability of the City's sewer system and safeguard a critical local fish habitat. Dick Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince George, and John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omineca, today announced the funding through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF).

“This investment will improve the efficiency and reliability of the community's wastewater system, protecting the environment surrounding the Baker Creek area,” said MP Harris, 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. “The Government of Canada is working in partnership, through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, to support a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and more prosperous communities.”

The funding will allow the City of Quesnel to replace 385 metres of sanitary sewer lines related to the west Quesnel Lift Station. This project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.

“By funding this project, we're making strides toward B.C.'s goal of leading the world in sustainable environmental management,” said Rustad. “The Province of B.C. is pleased to partner with the federal government and the City of Quesnel to ensure the integrity of the sewer system and preserve critical fish habitat.”

Under the initial CBCMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial governments each committed $51 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 B.C. have each provided an additional $23.5 million to the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in CBCMRIF projects to over $220 million.

The majority of the funding is targeted towards communities of fewer than 250,000 people and at least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with “green projects” such as drinking water supply, treatment and distribution needs as well as wastewater and energy efficiency projects. The remaining funds will be dedicated to other projects like tourism, recreation and other infrastructure.

More details on the program are available through the Canada-British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund website, at www.th.gov.bc.ca/CBMRIF/index.htm.

For additional information, contact:

Karl Yeh
Communications Advisor
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(604) 666-4714

Marc Black
B.C. Ministry of Community Services
(250) 356-6334