The rural communities of Lac du Bonnet and Teulon in Manitoba will benefit from infrastructure projects funded through the Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF). This funding exceeds $1.6 million and is based on equal contributions from the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and local partners.

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification; and Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Ron Lemieux.

“Today’s announcement reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to investing in infrastructure that helps build a stronger, more sustainable economy for Manitoba,” said Minister Toews. “We are making infrastructure investments that will leave real and lasting benefits to families and their communities.”

“We are pleased to support these infrastructure projects in Lac du Bonnet and Teulon that will upgrade the communities’ water and sewer systems and will help enhance the environment,” said Minister Lemieux.

The Town of Lac du Bonnet, located 110 km northeast of Winnipeg, will benefit from over $1.5 million in funding to replace deteriorating water and sewer lines. The project will provide upgraded water and sewer service to all residential and commercial properties. Teulon will receive $42,800 to complete repairs to the lagoon dyke to protect it from wave erosion.

These new green infrastructure projects are part of $11 million being announced this fall to enhance the environment in rural and northern communities by improving the quality of water and management of water, wastewater and solid waste. These rounds of announcements are based on recommendations from the MRIF Rural/Northern Federal Provincial Local Consultative Committee (FPLCC). The FPLCC consists of local government representatives from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities and the Northern Association of Community Councils. The FPLCC was created to provide local input and knowledge in the MRIF project selection process in rural and northern Manitoba.

“The AMM is pleased to be a part of a successful partnership bringing much-needed infrastructure investments to Manitoba communities,” said Ron Bell, AMM President. “The projects being announced today are essential water and wastewater investments that will benefit the residents of Lac du Bonnet and Teulon for many years to come. The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) has made a significant contribution to our members’ infrastructure needs and I look forward to seeing more funds dedicated to these types of projects in the future.”

“These infrastructure investments are important for area residents,” said Reg Meade, President of the Northern Association of Community Councils (NACC). “As part of the FPLCC, these projects were selected with NACC input for their strong positive impact.”

The initial Canada-Manitoba Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) agreement invested a total of $120 million in communities across Manitoba. This year, an additional $25 million is being provided to MRIF through matching funds from the governments of Canada, Manitoba and local contributions as part of the commitment to help small communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding will bring the total federal and provincial investment and matching local contribution in MRIF Manitoba projects to $145 million.

Of the funds, 80 per cent are earmarked for communities with a population under 250,000, including 198 municipalities and 50 unincorporated Northern Community Councils in rural and northern Manitoba. The remaining 20 per cent of funds are awarded to communities with populations over 250,000.

More information on Canada and Manitoba infrastructure projects are available at: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/ and http://www.canadabcmrif.ca/.

For additional information, contact:

Jana Lerner,
Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Secretariat
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-8778
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-4883
http://www.infrastructure.mb.ca/

Lee Gregg,
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 983-0701

 John Thorpe,
Communications Coordinator
Government of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 945-4997
http://www.gov.mb.ca/