SWIFT CURRENT AND NEARBY COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

Swift Current and 14 nearby communities will benefit from a $4.9 million investment for infrastructure projects from Canada’s New Government and the Province of Saskatchewan through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).

Today’s announcement means that Swift Current, Assiniboia, Rockglen, Rush Lake and Gravelbourg will be able to upgrade their water treatment systems.  In addition, Eston will be able to make main street upgrades while the rural municipalities of Carmichael, Coulee, Mankota, Old Post, Piapot, Swift Current, Victory and Webb will reconstruct grid roads.  As well, Thomson Lake Regional Park will now have the resources to upgrade its sewage lagoon.

David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills-Grasslands, 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 Regina Rosemont Member of the Legislative Assembly Joanne Crofford, on behalf of Saskatchewan Government Relations Minister Harry Van Mulligen, announced the investment today.

“Canada’s New Government is getting things done for the people of Swift Current and southwestern Saskatchewan,” Anderson said.  “We are working in partnership with other levels of Government to ensure that families and taxpayers in these communities have an improved quality of life.”

“Today’s announcement of funding from the Government of Saskatchewan of $2.4 million for 15 projects in Swift Current and area demonstrates our commitment to supporting infrastructure and creating a strong future for our province,” Crofford said.  “We are dedicated to making life better for Saskatchewan families and to building an even better future here for our young people.”

Before receiving final approval, community projects undergo a review process under both the Canadian Environment Assessment Act and The Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan). 
 
The federal and provincial governments are investing a total of $76 million in the four-year Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.  Participating communities are expected to contribute one-half the cost of any project, which will raise the total infrastructure investment above $152 million.

More information on the Government of Canada and Province of Saskatchewan’s infrastructure programs is available online at www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/mrd/prosimsi.shtml.

Municipalities seeking more information can contact the Canada-Saskatchewan MRIF Joint Secretariat at 306-787-7414.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Brenda Tarasiuk
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 975-5943
Toll Free: 1-888-338-9378

Cathy Gourlie
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-2687