Released on September 14, 2007
Residents in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Emerald will benefit from $21,252 in combined federal and provincial funding through the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
The funding will be put toward construction of a new well that will be used by residents in the Hamlet of Wishart. The new well will be located closer to the community than the current well, and should provide residents with a good water source for the next 25 years. The total cost for the project is $42,504.
The investment was announced today by Regina Rosemont MLA Joanne Crofford on behalf of Government Relations Minister Harry Van Mulligen and Andrew Scheer, Member of Parliament for Regina-Qu'Appelle on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
"I'm proud the provincial government is able to contribute to this project, which will improve the water supply and real benefits for the residents of the RM of Emerald," Crofford said. "Funding important infrastructure projects like this is one way we work together to make like better for Saskatchewan families."
"Canada's New Government is getting things done for the people of Wishart," said Scheer. "Today's investment will provide them with a more modern water supply system that will help build a stronger and healthier community."
"We are very fortunate that the two senior governments came up with the funding for this water project, which is greatly required by the Hamlet of Wishart," RM of Emerald Reeve Gerald Faye said. "The pipelines on our former system have greatly surpassed their lifespan and the Hamlet cannot afford to upgrade without financing from the federal and provincial governments. On behalf of the Rural Municipality of Emerald, I'd like to thank both levels of government."
Under the initial Canada-Saskatchewan 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 to over $152 million.
This year, Canada's New Government and the Government of Saskatchewan have provided an additional $14.9 million to the fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their infrastructure needs. This additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment in MRIF projects to over $90.9 million.
These projects are an example of how MRIF is supporting a stronger, safer and better province through infrastructure projects that provide cleaner air and water, a stronger economy and a better quality of life for our communities.
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:
Brenda Tarasiuk
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-975-5943
Tyler McMurchy
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5193
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-7051