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Canada-BC Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund

Federal, Provincial funds support vibrant communities

VICTORIA – (June 27, 2008)  More than 100 communities in B.C. will soon begin work on infrastructure projects that will improve their local environments, making them greener, more sustainable places to live, thanks to investments totalling $147 million from the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF).

The Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia launched CBCMRIF in June 2006, with the majority of program funding supporting communities of fewer than 250,000 people.

Sixty-two projects are supporting “green” infrastructure, such as water and waste-water systems, public transit and environmental energy improvements. Forty-one other infrastructure projects will improve local roads, cultural and recreational facilities, tourism and broadband connectivity. The amount of funding through CBCMRIF, with federal and provincial investments and matching local government contributions, totals over $220 million.

With funding under the CBCMRIF program now fully committed, the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia remain dedicated to providing ongoing support towards B.C.'s infrastructure needs.

On Nov. 6, 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Gordon Campbell signed a federal-provincial agreement under the historic Building Canada Plan. The plan will see the Government of Canada contribute $2.2 billion to infrastructure initiatives across the province, a portion of which will also be matched by the Province of British Columbia.