The Village of Pemberton will develop a new and improved water supply for residents, thanks to more than $355,500 in federal and provincial funding, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Joan McIntyre, MLA for West Vancouver-Garibaldi, announced today.

“The addition of a new water treatment system means that residents of Pemberton will have a reliable source of clean water,” said Minister Strahl 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. “Our Government is proud to work in partnership, through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, to build healthy and sustainable communities in British Columbia.”

Funding for this project, through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF), will address water quality issues found in the Village's existing groundwater well.  The project will involve the installation of 320 metres of water main and the addition of a new sodium hydroxide treatment system to improve water quality and reduce corrosive impacts on the system’s infrastructure.  This project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.

“Our government is committed to investing in sustainable infrastructure that provides B.C. communities with safe and clean drinking water sources,” said McIntyre. “Pemberton residents will see considerable environmental and community benefits as a result of this project.”

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. The total amount available from the CBCMRIF, with federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in projects, is 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 http://www.canadabcmrif.ca/.

Contact:

Karl Yeh
Western Economic Diversification Canada
604 666-4714

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