NORTH BATTLEFORD RECEIVES FUNDS FROM INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

Released on June 15, 2001

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan will provide $500,000 to the

City of North Battleford to install an ultraviolet disinfection unit into

the city's water treatment system at the F.E. Holliday Water Treatment

Plant.



Senator Herb Sparrow, on behalf of Ron J. Duhamel, Minister of Veterans

Affairs, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification)

(Francophonie) and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Ron Osika today

announced funding support through the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure

Program (CSIP).



"The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of improving water

quality in North Battleford," Senator Sparrow said. "Through

infrastructure funding, and contributions from the three levels of

government, we can maximize financing to projects that protect our

environment and enhance the quality of life for all people in Saskatchewan."



The CSIP will contribute $500,000 to install an ultraviolet disinfection

unit into the current filtration system, as well as additional monitoring

systems for more effective plant operation. The unit will increase the

capacity to treat the water and enhance water quality. The City of North

Battleford will provide the remaining funding of $526,480.



"I am pleased that through the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program

the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan can participate in the hard work

already taking place to ensure quality drinking water for the people of

North Battleford," Osika said.



The Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program is a five-year program that

will result in infrastructure investments of at least $170 million in

Saskatchewan municipalities. The program provides up to two-thirds of the

eligible costs associated with community projects. Communities provide the

balance of project costs.



"This funding is tremendous news for our city financially and speaks highly

of the integrity of the Premier's office towards fulfilling Premier

Calvert's verbal commitment of 'being there' for the people of the

Battlefords," Mayor Wayne Ray said.



The first priority for infrastructure investment through the CSIP is green

municipal projects such as water, and wastewater developments and upgrades,

solid waste management and recycling, and improving the energy efficiency

of buildings owned by municipal governments.



Other priorities under the program include local transportation

infrastructure, cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure

supporting tourism, rural and remote telecommunications, high-speed

Internet access for local public institutions, and affordable housing.



This year $24 million combined federal and provincial funding has been

allocated to 86 Saskatchewan municipalities.



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For more information, contact:



Cathie Kryzanowski Joanne Mysak

Municipal Affairs and Housing Western Economic Diversification

Regina Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 787-8890 Phone: (306) 975-5942

WD Toll-Free No: 1-888-338-WEST

(9378)

WD World Wide Web site:

English - http://www.wd.gc.ca

French - http://www.deo.gc.ca



For more information on the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program:

Canada Infrastructure Program: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/ino-bni

Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs:

http://www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/canada_infrastructure.shtml