NB 1112
Aug. 31, 2005
SAINT-ANTOINE (CNB) - The Village of Saint-Antoine will make improvements to its water system thanks to a $2,184,810 project funded under the Canada-New Brunswick Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CNBMRIF).
This joint provincial, municipal and federal project was announced today by Premier Bernard Lord, Saint-Antoine Mayor Ronald Cormier and Beauséjour MP Dominic LeBlanc.
"Building strategic infrastructure is a key cornerstone of Greater Opportunity: New Brunswick's Prosperity Plan. Today's announcement is just another example of how well the plan is working," Lord said. "Building strategic infrastructure includes ensuring safe drinking water and green municipal infrastructure are available to New Brunswickers, including the residents of Saint-Antoine."
Infrastructure upgrades to the Saint-Antoine water system are necessary for the growth of the village and the quality of life of the municipality's residents, said LeBlanc, speaking on behalf of Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
"The Government of Canada is proud of its commitment to help meet the country's infrastructure needs through such initiatives as the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, Canada Infrastructure Program, the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, and the Border Infrastructure Fund," LeBlanc said.
Cormier said the water distribution system construction project could never have become a reality without the support of the Canada-New Brunswick Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.
"This project is very important for the public health and safety of our community, and has been long waited for by the citizens of Saint-Antoine," Cormier said.
The project involves the construction of an improved water supply distribution system in the village.
The Canada-New Brunswick Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Agreement, signed on Dec. 3, 2004, will invest $99 million in communities across New Brunswick over five years. The governments of New Brunswick and Canada are each investing $33 million. The remaining $33 million will come from local governments whose projects win CNBMRIF support.
To date, three projects have been announced in New Brunswick under CNBMRIF, for total funding of $14,772,874.
In New Brunswick, ACOA is responsible for the implementation of the program federally, while the Department of the Environment and Local Government, in conjunction with the Regional Development Corp., are responsible for the provincial jurisdiction.
At least 80 per cent of CNBMRIF funding will support "green" projects - those that lead to cleaner air and water, such as improvements to local water and sewer systems. Municipalities can also upgrade their buildings to reduce energy needs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by improving public transit. The fund will also support faster Internet connections as well as cultural, recreational and tourism projects.
More information on New Brunswick and federal infrastructure programs can be found at http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca and http://www.gnb.ca.
05/08/31
MEDIA CONTACTS: Marie-Josée Groulx, director of communications and educational services, Environment and Local Government, 506-457-7202; Chisholm Pothier, Office of the Premier, 506-444-2286; Valérie Poulin, director of communications, Office of Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, 613-941-7241; Paul C. J. LeBlanc, senior communications officer, ACOA New Brunswick, 506-452-3310.
05/08/31
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