COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING: OPEN FOR BUSINESS—APPLY TODAY!

Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Hutchinson today announced plans to accelerate the call for proposals for the remaining $126 million in combined federal provincial funding for projects in communities across Saskatchewan with populations under 100,000.

A final call for proposals opens March 16, 2009 with shovel-ready projects to be submitted by April 17, 2009 and projects needing more time to develop have until May 15, 2009. The federal and provincial governments have committed to making all remaining funding available and ensuring decisions on projects are made in a timely way, so that construction can begin as soon as possible.

"The Government of Canada continues to address the infrastructure needs of our small communities," said Ritz. "This funding will allow communities to meet their unique requirements, while also creating jobs and strengthening Saskatchewan's economy."

"We are making a difference in the hometowns of Saskatchewan residents by delivering on our commitment for accelerated infrastructure projects," said Minister of State Yelich. "Our investment is going to keep Saskatchewan working as we help ensure our continued economic success in the future."

"Saskatchewan's economy continues to outperform the rest of the country, but we are not immune to what is happening elsewhere in the world," Hutchinson said. "This is why we are giving communities yet another booster shot to get these projects rolling - providing for our communities while stimulating the economy, creating jobs and ensuring our continued growth and security in uncertain times."

The funding announced today will address several categories of infrastructure projects: water, wastewater, public transit, national highway system, green energy, disaster mitigation, solid waste management, brownfield remediation and redevelopment, culture, sport, connectivity, local road, shortline rail, short sea shipping, regional and local airports, tourism, recreation, and collaborative projects. All categories are eligible for this funding. Projects will be rated by a federal-provincial committee through a competitive process.

The federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs, with local governments covering the remainder of project funding. Together with funds from the communities, this investment in local infrastructure will total more than $189 million. In two years, the total investment committed to by all levels of government is $284 million.

The Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan is accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years. The Province of Saskatchewan is working closely with the federal government to ensure that these infrastructure funds are being spent well on priority projects in these communities.

Municipalities will be able to submit their applications for the Communities Component as of March 16. Visit www.canada-saskbcf-cc.ca for funding applications and deadlines.

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For more information, contact:

Chris Hilton
Office of the Minister of State for Transport
Ottawa
Phone: 613-991-0700

Jeff Welke
Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6156

Infrastructure Canada
Ottawa
Phone: 613-948-1148