The Rural Municipality of Park will benefit from an infrastructure project jointly announced today by the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba. Funding in excess of $3.5 million towards the construction of Onanole’s sewer and water system, under the Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF), is based on equal contributions from the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and the local municipality.

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, 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 Drew Caldwell, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Brandon East, on behalf of the Honourable Ron Lemieux, Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation.

“Through infrastructure projects such as this, the Government of Canada is working in partnership to create strong and healthy communities in Manitoba,” said Minister Toews. “This investment of more than $3.5 million will support the RM of Park’s efforts to provide sewer and water services to Onanole communities, and help to protect the ecological integrity of Clear Lake, the jewel of this area.”

“This is a very significant project for the local area and will help address a number of issues related to sewer and water services for the 1,200 residents of Onanole,” said Caldwell. “We are now able to move forward in the initial phase of a project that will ensure a reliable source of high quality water to meet the future needs of Onanole and will also help improve the environment near the Clear Lake and Wasagaming areas.”

The RM of Park, located just outside of Riding Mountain National Park, will benefit from $3,595,600 for Phase I of a multi-phase project to develop a sewer and water system for Onanole. This project is the first step in a long-range plan to address water quality in the region and to protect the environment around Clear Lake and Riding Mountain National Park.

This new green infrastructure project is part of $11 million being announced this fall to improve drinking water and to enhance the environment in rural and northern communities by upgrading the quality of water and management of water, wastewater, and solid waste. These rounds of announcements are based on recommendations from the MRIF Rural/Northern Federal Provincial Local Consultative Committee (FPLCC). The FPLCC consists of local government representatives from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and the Northern Association of Community Councils (NACC). The FPLCC was created to provide local input and knowledge in the MRIF project selection process in Rural and Northern Manitoba.

“The AMM is pleased to be a part of a successful partnership bringing much-needed infrastructure investments to Manitoba communities,” said Ron Bell, AMM President. “The project being announced today represents the beginning of an essential water and sewer system that will service the residents of Onanole for many years to come. The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund has made a significant contribution to our members' infrastructure needs and I look forward to seeing more funds dedicated to these types of projects in the future.”

“Environmentally responsible wastewater management in this area is crucial for protecting Clear Lake and to minimize adverse environmental impacts to Riding Mountain National Park,” said Reg Meade, President of the NACC. “The NACC is committed to supporting infrastructure projects that strengthen rural economies and protect the environment.”

The initial Canada-Manitoba MRIF agreement invested a total of $120 million in communities across Manitoba. This year, an additional $25 million is being provided to MRIF through matching funds from the governments of Canada, Manitoba and local contributions, as part of the commitment to help small communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding will bring the total federal and provincial investment and matching local contribution in MRIF Manitoba projects to $145 million.

Of the funds, 80 per cent are earmarked for communities with a population under 250,000, including 198 municipalities and 50 unincorporated Northern Community Councils in rural and northern Manitoba. The remaining 20 per cent of funds are awarded to communities with populations over 250,000.

More information on Canada and Manitoba infrastructure projects are available at: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/ and http://www.infrastructure.mb.ca/

For additional information, contact:

Jana Lerner,
Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Secretariat
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-8778
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-4883
http://www.infrastructure.mb.ca/

Jacqueline Petrus,
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 983-0280

John Thorpe,
Communications Coordinator
Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-4997
http://www.gov.mb.ca/