CANADA & B.C. SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, SMALL COMMUNITIES

April 04, 2009

Sorrento, BC – John Baird, Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister, along with B.C. Community Development Minister, Kevin Krueger, recently announced federal and provincial support for the development of up to 161 community infrastructure projects that will create jobs and help build stronger communities through a joint investment of close to $48 million.

Today, MP Colin Mayes and MLA George Abbott announced $198,759 in funding for the implementation of a universal water metering system in the Cedar Heights community of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District as part of the Towns for Tomorrow program. This project involves the installation of an automated meter reading system and approximately 360 residential water meters.  This project will serve approximately 1,000 people.

“I am pleased that our government has worked proactively with the Province of British Columbia to assist BC communities in getting shovels in the ground quickly” said Colin Mayes, MP for Okanagan-Shuswap.

“Through these investments we are making a commitment to supporting local infrastructure development,” said Shuswap MLA George Abbott. “In addition to stimulating economic activity, this funding translates into much needed water and waste management systems for the regional district.”

"Today the CSRD is very pleased and excited for the community of Cedar Heights. The government’s investment in this community will allow for immediate installation and attainment of water conservation goals for this very progressive community and will be the first of the CSRD's water systems to incorporate water metering as one of its water conservation measures." said Mayor Marty Bootsma, Chair of the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District.

The Government of Canada’s contribution to the Towns for Tomorrow and LocalMotion programs is conditional on the projects meeting all the federal requirements for infrastructure funding and the successful signing of a contribution agreement with the province. 

Towns for Tomorrow supports the infrastructure needs of communities under 15,000 and LocalMotion provides funding for projects such as trails, bike lanes and pathways. To learn more about both programs visit: www.townsfortomorrow.gov.bc.ca and www.localmotion.gov.bc.ca.