Canada’s New Government and the Province of B.C. will invest $483,330 in Williams Lake’s stormwater system to improve water quality in Williams Lake River and protect the community’s natural water systems. Dick Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince George, and John Rustad, MLA for Prince George-Omineca announced the joint funding today, which will come from the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF).

“This initiative will upgrade the community’s stormwater system, improving the quality of water and protecting the surrounding ecosystem,” 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. “Through collaboration and partnership, Canada’s New Government is building a healthier and more prosperous community in Williams Lake. This investment is a concrete example of our commitment to build and modernize Canada’s infrastructure in communities.”

The funding will allow the City of Williams Lake to upgrade its stormwater system to ensure that storm water is directed to an infiltration and retention basin for treatment. This project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.

“Our government is committed to building green, healthy, sustainable communities and supporting sustainable infrastructure,” said MLA Rustad. “Through our partnership with the federal and local governments, the City of Williams Lake will be able to improve its water quality and safeguard a valuable fish habitat.”

“This has been an important project for our community and region. It has been an environmental issue that we wanted to solve,” said Mayor Scott Nelson, City of Williams Lake. “We appreciate the cooperation we have received from the Provincial and Federal Governments as well as the hard work that the Cariboo Regional District has put into this successful application.”

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, Canada’s New Government 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