$234,028 invested in Lac-Saint-Paul for major infrastructure upgrades

Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)

Québec, November 29, 2006 – Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, David Whissell, Member of the National Assembly for Argenteuil and Député responsable de la région des Laurentides, today joined the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the Municipality of Lac-Saint-Paul is awarded $122,686 in combined government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to carry out two major infrastructure projects.

The first project involves conducting a hydrogeological study to validate a solution aimed at bringing the municipality's water supply system into compliance with the Règlement sur la qualité de l'eau potable (RQEP), Quebec's new regulations governing drinking water quality. The proposed solution involves replacing the system's existing Boucher Lake water source with an underground water supply. Some 130 local residents are currently supplied by water drawn from the Boucher Lake source.

The second project, already completed, consisted of renovating the municipal community centre, which mainly involved replacing the building's exterior shell and windows and increasing its electrical input capacity. Located in the heart of the municipality, this centre plays a pivotal role in the life of the community and well-being of the population.   

“The Government of Quebec has made the modernization of municipal infrastructure one if its priorities. The investments we are announcing today are sure to help enhance the quality of life of Lac-Saint-Paul residents,” noted David Whissell.

“Infrastructure programs are essential to Canada's future. Their benefits are immediate and growth-generating for existing and future populations as well as for the economic vitality of the regions themselves. Canada's new government is proud to support these infrastructure upgrades in Lac-Saint-Paul,” commented Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn.

Completion of these two projects necessitates a total eligible investment of $234,028 under the provisions of the MRIF. As such, the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada will each contribute $61,343 toward these upgrades, for a total of $122,686 in combined government assistance, while the Municipality of Lac-Saint-Paul will assume $111,342 of these projects' costs.

The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a $390 million cost-sharing initiative of the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada to help finance municipal infrastructure projects in Quebec. With the financial participation of municipalities, this initiative could result in investments of nearly $576 million for infrastructure work in the province. The objectives of the MRIF are to upgrade community infrastructure, improve the quality of the environment, promote long-term economic growth and enhance citizens' quality of life.

Implementation of the MRIF in Quebec is the result of a joint agreement signed by the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada in July 2005. The program, which is in force until March 31, 2010, is administered by Quebec's Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions. Canada Economic Development is responsible for delivering the federal portion of the MRIF on behalf of the Government of Canada.

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Source:

Christine Poirier Laberge
Communications Advisor
Communications Branch
Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions
514-873-3687

Information:

Jonathan Trudeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions
418-691-2050

Roxane Marchand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Canada Economic Development
819-953-5646
613-816-5094

Nadja Raphaël
Communications
Canada Economic Development
514-283-2634