$22 MILLION ECONOMIC “BOOSTER SHOT” DELIVERED TO SASKATOON

The Government of Saskatchewan delivered on its commitment to provide $100 million in Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) funding on a per capita basis. The City of Saskatoon now has $22 million in hand to continue to make their city a better place to live.

Saskatoon, along with municipalities across the province, can now start construction on priority infrastructure projects that are integral to the lives of every person in every community.

"The Premier announced this economic booster shot in February, by March 31 the money was delivered, and today I am pleased to be here in Saskatoon highlighting how this funding will benefit this great city," Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Hutchinson said. "The speed with which we delivered this government funding is unprecedented and municipalities are putting these dollars to work immediately."

The City of Saskatoon is putting its MEEP funding toward building the new Lakewood Fire Station - a much needed addition for more effective and efficient emergency services. Other projects include: the repair of the Cosmopolitan Park riverbank slope failure; major rerouting of the west side sanitary sewer system to reduce the risk of basement flooding; and extension of the storm and sanitary sewers.

"This funding will help with a variety of large and important infrastructure projects that will help citizens in all areas of Saskatoon," Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison said. "We thank the province for investing in our community and we can't wait to start construction."

Other projects being funded throughout the province include wastewater, transportation, recreational projects, protective services, solid waste, municipal buildings, public health, and planning and development.

Under MEEP, municipalities were eligible for $108.79 per capita. Based on the 2006 census, cities were eligible to receive approximately $58 million, towns $15.8 million, villages and resort villages $5.1 million, rural municipalities $19.2 million and northern municipalities $1.9 million.

In addition to the $100 million in MEEP funding, $31.6 million in funding was accelerated under the Building Canada Fund - Communities Component first intake and the second intake is underway.

Further information on the MEEP is available at www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/meep/.

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For more information, contact:

Jill Welke
Municipal Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2687
Email: jill.welke@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-8630