WEYBURN RECEIVES FUNDING TO IMPROVE ITS WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

The City of Weyburn, through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF), received additional funding today to improve the city's wastewater treatment system.

Ed Komarnicki, Member of Parliament for Souris-Moose Mountain, on behalf of Canada's New Government and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Moose Jaw North MLA Glenn Hagel, on behalf of Government Relations Minister Harry Van Mulligen, announced joint funding totalling $342,500.

"Canada's New Government is getting things done for the people of Weyburn," said Mr. Komarnicki. "I am pleased to announce this joint investment of more than $340,000 for Weyburn. It will strengthen the community's infrastructure and improve the quality of life for residents of this community."

The fund will enable Weyburn to replace about 800 metres of sewer pipeline, which will significantly improve the wastewater treatment plant's efficiency. The federal and provincial governments will contribute half of the total $685,000 cost, with Weyburn contributing the remaining half.

"Today's announcement of provincial funding demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting infrastructure," Hagel said. "We are dedicated to making life better for Saskatchewan families and to build a better future here for our young people. These infrastructure projects will support our strong future."

This investment complements a March 2007 MRIF announcement of $1 million to fund other improvements to the wastewater treatment plant.

"The City of Weyburn is very pleased with today's announcement, as it will provide needed funding to help ensure development of our existing infrastructure," Weyburn Mayor Debra Button said. "We are pleased that all three levels of government can work together to ensure the infrastructures of our communities are being renewed for future generations."
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 MRIF. Participating communities are expected to contribute one-half the cost of any project, which will raise the total infrastructure investment to over $152 million.

For more information on the Government of Canada and Province of Saskatchewan's infrastructure programs, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/mrd/prosimsi.shtml.

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

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For more information, contact:

Brenda Tarasiuk
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-5943

Tyler McMurchy
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5193
Cell: 306-537-7051