NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN RESIDENTS WILL BENEFIT FROM CLEANER WATER AND UPGRADED SEWER SYSTEMS

Recreational facilities and civic water treatment and disposal systems will be upgraded thanks to a joint investment from the Government of Canada and Province of Saskatchewan.

These investments total almost $1.7 million in combined federal and provincial funding that will be provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).

The announcement was made today by Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River on behalf of Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison, on behalf of Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Hutchinson and Meadow Lake Mayor Darwin Obrigewitsch.

"These investments will improve existing infrastructure and extend the life of recreational facilities, water and sewer systems for Northern residents," said Clarke. "Today's announcement reflects our government's commitment to help communities continue to grow as vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families."

This funding includes $250,000 for energy efficiency upgrades in Meadow Lake's arena and more than $785,000 to upgrade sewage pumping stations in the Village of Beauval. A full list of project descriptions and investments is attached.

"Our $1 billion Ready for Growth initiative is the largest infrastructure investment in the history of Saskatchewan and begins to address the infrastructure deficit," Harrison said. "We want to manage our growth as we continue our economic momentum and these projects help Northern Saskatchewan to manage that growth."

"The modifications to the arena will extend the life of the facility for many years to come," Obrigewitsch said. "The new roof insulation, lighting, ice plant compressor and chiller will help this arena evolve into a 'green' facility by improving the overall utility, operation and maintenance costs, therefore, benefiting the entire community and area."

Under the initial MRIF Agreement, the federal and provincial governments committed a combined $76 million to the fund, with participating communities contributing one-half of all costs, raising the total infrastructure investment above $152 million.

In 2007, the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan provided an additional $14.9 million to the fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment in MRIF projects to over $90.9 million.

Before receiving final approval, community projects undergo a review process under both the Canadian Environment Assessment Act and The Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan).

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For more information, contact:

Joanne Mysak
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-5942

Greg Urbanoski
Municipal Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2155