$2,617,073 invested in Saint-Gabriel to rebuild its water supply and sewer systems

Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)

Saint-Gabriel, November 13, 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 de Lanaudière, today joined Steven Blaney, Member of Parliament for Lévis–Bellechasse, acting on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, in announcing that the City of Saint-Gabriel will receive $1,744,716 in combined government funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) to repair its water supply and sewer systems.

The project consists mainly of rebuilding the water and domestic sewer mains running along Michaud, Alfred and du Parc streets and building a booster station. These upgrades will help improve drinking water quality for the benefit of some 900 local residents.

Completion of this work will necessitate a total investment of $2,617,073, eligible under component 1 of the MRIF. As such, the Government of Quebec and Government of Canada will each contribute $872,358 toward these improvements, for a total of $1,744,716 in combined government funding, while the City of Saint-Gabriel will assume $872,357 of the project's costs.

Saint-Gabriel Mayor Gaétan Gravel 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

Jean Décary
Communications Advisor
Canada Economic Development
514-283-2234