Government of Canada Supports Important Drinking Water System Upgrades in Memramcook Through the Small Communities Fund

MEMRAMCOOK, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - July 3, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced $2,499,888 in federal funding for drinking water system upgrades in Memramcook. Senator Olsen was joined by Bernard LeBlanc, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Memramcook-Tantramar, on behalf of Brian Kenny, New Brunswick Minister of Environment and Local Government, and Donald LeBlanc, Mayor of the Village of Memramcook.

The project is phase one of a water distribution system extension. Work involves constructing infrastructure for new wells, including nine kilometres of water transmission pipe and eight kilometres of water distribution pipe. Once complete, the project will facilitate community growth by making it possible to add 270 new users to the water distribution system.

The project announced today is among 39 projects recently approved for more than $85 million in joint funding under the Small Communities Fund in New Brunswick. These projects represent important investments in the drinking water, disaster mitigation and wastewater infrastructure that maintain safe, healthy communities. Once complete, the work will significantly improve key municipal services for residents and help boost regional development for years to come.

The $1-billion Small Communities Fund provides funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs across the country. Canada and New Brunswick will each provide $39,363,723 to support projects in New Brunswick communities with fewer than 100,000 residents over the course of the funding program. This will help address local infrastructure priorities and boost economies in small communities throughout the province well into the future.

Quick Facts

• For the Memramcook project, the Government of Canada will contribute up to one third of the total eligible project costs of $7,499,666, to a maximum of $2,499,888, under the New Building Canada Fund's Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-Small Communities Fund.
  
  
• The Government of New Brunswick will also contribute one third of the project costs up to $2,499,888.
  
  
• The Village of Memramcook will be responsible for the remaining project costs.
  
  
• For the 39 projects altogether, the Government of Canada is providing up to one third of the total eligible costs to a maximum federal contribution of $28,420,281.
  
  
• The Province of New Brunswick will also contribute up to $28,420,281 to these projects.
  
  
• New Brunswick communities will be responsible for the remaining costs of the 39 projects.
  
  

Quotes

"Our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, understands that by building stronger communities and modernizing and developing our infrastructure, we are creating jobs and opportunities and building a better Canada for future generations. The Small Communities Fund of the New Building Canada Fund supports economic growth from coast to coast to coast while ensuring that Canadian communities remain among the best in the world to live."

Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen,, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

"Our government made a commitment to protect our environment including our water resources. Under this project, we are working in partnership with all levels of government to invest in strategic infrastructure and deliver a safe water supply and jobs for local residents and families."

Bernard LeBlanc, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Memramcook-Tantramar, on behalf of Brian Kenny, New Brunswick Minister of Environment and Local Government

"This is an important investment that will support economic growth in our community. We're pleased to work with both the provincial and federal governments to bring this upgrade project to fruition and improve infrastructure for our residents."

Donald LeBlanc, Mayor of the Village of Memramcook

Associated Links:

To learn more about the Small Communities Fund, please visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/sc-cp-eng.html.

For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan, visit http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nbcp-npcc-eng.html.

To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada's Economic Action Plan at http://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/home-accueil-eng.html.

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