Mark Warawa, MP for Langley, and Rich Coleman, MLA for Fort Langley-Aldergrove announced today a joint federal and provincial funding contribution of $6 million to improve sewer infrastructure in the Langley area.

“The Government of Canada is working in partnership with the Province of British Columbia to build a healthier and more prosperous community in Langley,” said Mr. Warawa 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. “We are delivering on our promise to help our communities become vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families. This project will provide the community of Langley with an improved sewer system that protects the surrounding community and environment from potential health risks.”

This funding from the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) will connect a new sewer line from Langley’s eastern community of Aldergrove and Gloucester Industrial Estates to the Greater Vancouver Regional District’s sewer trunk line. The upgrade will prevent sewage overflows and help protect the surrounding environment, which is home to several endangered species, from contamination. This project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.

“A sewer system is one of the most important infrastructure projects a community can have,” said Coleman. “Our government funding partnership will help greatly improve this critical service to the people and businesses of Langley. Through this program, are working together to invest in local infrastructure that will help make our communities greener, healthier places to live and work.”

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 match this amount. 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 CBCMRIF 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 http://www.canadabcmrif.ca/.

For additional information, contact:

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

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