Mundare, 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 $4 million towards the Mundare Main Street Rehabilitation project 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. “The rehabilitation of Mundare’s Main Street will contribute to the ongoing development of safe and economically strong communities. This type of co-operation amongst the three levels of government is exemplary and ensures taxpayers’ money is well spent.”
The main street rehabilitation project will involve the installation and improvement of a storm water drainage system, rehabilitation of the road surface and replacement of water and sewer mains. Good roads are essential to quality of life in our communities and to the growth of our economy and the quality of a community’s water supply is a critical element to creating vibrant, productive places to live, work and raise families.
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 Town of Mundare contribution to this project brings the total project investment to $6.3 million.
“We sincerely appreciate the fact that our federal and provincial partners recognize the importance of this project to our community,” said Mayor Mike Saric from the Town of Mundare. “This project represents a major leap forward in our basic infrastructure and the enhancement of our community's aesthetic appeal – both of which will enhance the quality of life in our community on a number of levels.”
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:
Town of Mundare
Mundare Main Street Rehabilitation
Total Project Cost: $6,300,000
Combined federal/provincial investment: $4,000,000
Town of Mundare contribution: $2,300,000
This project will involve the installation and improvement of the stormwater drainage system and replacement of water and sewer mains. Once complete, the entire road surface will be rehabilitated.
