Chipman, Alberta (30 January 2009) – Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, along with the Honourable Ed Stelmach, Premier of Alberta and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville, announced today a combined federal-provincial investment of more than $486,000 towards local road infrastructure through the Canada-Alberta Building Canada Fund – Communities Component.
"Today’s announcement demonstrates the Government’s commitment to creating a sustainable Economic Action Plan that stimulates the economy and creates jobs in Vegreville-Wainwright and across Canada,” said MP Benoit. “Supporting this local road and water project will create jobs and help the local economy grow and prosper. This type of co-operation amongst the three levels of government is exemplary and ensures taxpayers’ money is well spent.”
This project involves grading, base preparation and installation of curb and gutter as part of the final phase of a comprehensive program to upgrade streets within Chipman from an existing graveled surface to an asphalted concrete pavement. Good roads are essential to quality of life in our communities and to the growth of our economy. Renewed or expanded roadways reduce congestion, minimize environmental impacts, improve safety, support social and economic development, and help local economies grow and prosper.
Under the Canada-Alberta Building Canada Fund – Communities Component (BCF-CC), the federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs, with municipalities covering the remainder of project funding. The Village of Chipman contribution to this project brings the total project investment to more than $766,000.
“We would like to thank the Governments of Canada and Alberta for recognizing the needs of small rural communities and providing an investment that will strengthen our local infrastructure,” said Mayor for the Village of Chipman, Jim Palmer. “Through your support, the Village can undertake additional local road infrastructure improvements beyond that which was previously planned.”
The Canada-Alberta Building Canada Fund – Communities Component (BCF-CC) is a federal-provincial program that addresses the unique infrastructure needs of both rural and urban communities with populations of less than 100,000. The governments of Canada and Alberta have each committed $88 million to the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund. When combined with municipal contributions, this program is expected to inject at least $264 million into Alberta's municipal infrastructure over a six-year period.
In Alberta, the program is implemented by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Transportation. It is administered by a Joint Secretariat. An Oversight Committee approves the projects and is comprised of representatives from the governments of Canada and Alberta, the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties.
Municipalities seeking more information should contact the Joint Secretariat at 1-800-396-0214 (toll free) or bcf@gov.ab.ca. Information is also available on the website at http://www.buildingcanadafundalberta-cc.ca.
Backgrounder
Canada-Alberta Building Canada Fund – Communities Component
The following project is receiving funding under the Canada-Alberta Building Canada Fund – Communities Component:
Village of Chipman
Road Program
Total Project Cost: $766,590
Combined federal/provincial investment: $486,724
Village of Chipman contribution: $279,866
This project is the final phase of a comprehensive program to upgrade the streets in the Village of Chipman from a rural cross-section gravelled surface to an urban cross section with asphalted concrete pavement. This phase will include grading, base preparation and installation of a curb and gutter.
