Investment of $951,000 in Frontenac to upgrade drinking water supply infrastructure

Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)

Frontenac, November 13, 2006 – Acting on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Quebec's Ministre des Affaires municipales et des Régions, Pierre Reid, Member of the National Assembly for Orford, today joined Christian Paradis, Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L'Érable and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, acting on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the Municipality of Frontenac will receive $475,500 in combined government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to upgrade its drinking water supply infrastructure.

This funding will serve primarily to replace an existing municipal well with a new one offering a capacity of 350 litres per minute, install a chlorination system and build a drinking water reservoir and booster station. These improvements will help increase the volume and quality of drinking water for the benefit of some 400 residents.

This project will necessitate a total investment of $951,000, eligible under component 1 of the MRIF. As such, the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada will each contribute $237,750 toward the upgrades, for a total of $475,500 in combined government funding, while the Municipality of Frontenac will assume $475,500 of the project's costs.  

Frontenac Mayor Jean-Denis Cloutier expressed his delight that this project, considered a priority for the development of the municipality and well-being of local residents, will be carried out.

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

Louise Elliott-Edery
Communications Advisor
Canada Economic Development
514-283-8818