Vermilion, Alberta (30 January 2009) – Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright, along with The Honourable Lloyd Snelgrove, President of Treasury Board and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Vermilion-Lloydminster, announced today a combined federal-provincial investment of more than $2.9 million towards local road and water 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.”
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.
Vermilion’s downtown core will be the beneficiary of both above and below ground infrastructure. Street improvements designed to provide safer pedestrian and motorist movement include the replacement of sidewalks, improved street lighting, installation of traffic calming devices and traffic signal light upgrades. Below the surface, there will be the replacement of all water mains and water service. This project will result in minimized environmental impacts and increased road safety. 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 Vermilion contribution to this project brings the total project investment to more than $4.6 million.
”Our community is very pleased to be partnering with the federal and provincial governments on this exciting project, which will provide much needed infrastructure improvements to our Downtown core and have a long lasting effect on Vermilion residents and visitors alike,” said Vermilion Mayor Bruce Marriott. “The Downtown Streetscape project will rejuvenate the Downtown and provide an economic stimulus to our community.”
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 Vermilion
Downtown Core Underground and Streetscape Improvements
Total Project Cost: $4,633,704
Combined federal/provincial investment: $2,942,034
Town of Vermilion contribution: $1,691,670
This project includes the replacement of all water main and water services in the downtown core. In addition, street improvements will be made which include replacement of sidewalks, installation of traffic calming devices, traffic signal light upgrades and improved street lighting.
