Harper Government Upgrades Community Infrastructure Across the Country

CHIBOUGAMAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 8, 2013) - Community infrastructure across Canada will soon be upgraded thanks to support provided under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF), which was introduced in Economic Action Plan 2012.

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced that the Club de Golf de Chibougamau-Chapais Inc. has been granted financial assistance to improve its facilities.

"We know that the golf club's community hall is important to Chibougamau and Chapais residents. Our Government is proud to contribute to the quality of life of people in the region by helping with its expansion," said Minister Lebel. "Our Government is focused on what matters to Canadians-job creation and economic growth. Through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, we are providing support to communities across Canada."

The Club de golf de Chibougamau-Chapais Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides its members, and the community, with sports and cultural facilities, including a community hall that hosts various activities throughout the year. The Club will enlarge the building and make interior and exterior improvements so as to relocate the dressing rooms. The quality of the user experience will thus be enhanced, the Club will be better equipped to continue its activities-which constitute a major regional economic driver-and the community as a whole will benefit from the improved facilities.

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This $40,500 in non-repayable funding has been granted through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.

The purpose of the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, announced in the Economic Action Plan 2012, is to fund projects for rehabilitating, improving and expanding existing community infrastructures. The Fund will be in place until March 31, 2014, and is provided with a national envelope of $150 million over two years. In Quebec, the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec is responsible for administering the CIIF.

For more information, please see attached backgrounder.

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Backgrounder

Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund

The Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) is one of the many measures the Government of Canada has put in place, as it committed to doing, to foster economic growth, employment and prosperity in the country. Part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the CIIF has a national budget of $150 million over two years. The Fund, which is in effect until March 31, 2014, is aimed at helping finance the restoration, upgrade or expansion of existing community infrastructure.

Implementation of the CIIF is entrusted to the federal regional development agencies. In Quebec, the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec is responsible for administering the CIIF and the $31.2 million budget3/4$15.1 million per year3/4allocated for the funding of these types of projects in the province.

Eligibility to the CIIF

Non-profit organizations and public and parapublic agencies

Eligible projects

Projects to restore, upgrade or expand existing community infrastructure

Conditions

• The existing community infrastructure must be open to the general public; access must not be restricted to private membership;
• Projects must be completed by no later than March 31, 2014.

Examples of eligible community infrastructure

• Community centres
• Recreational facilities
• Tourism infrastructure that generates local economic benefits

Ineligible projects

• Projects to build new community infrastructure
• Projects to restore community infrastructure for commercial or for-profit use

For further information on the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.