March 22, 2000
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Municipal Capital Works Program

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, announced today that again this year, $20 million will be available for the regular Municipal Capital Works Program. This program is designed to help municipalities which need improvements or upgrading of municipal infrastructure such as water and/or sewer projects, solid waste management projects, road construction, recreation, fire protection and municipal buildings. "The delivery of this program demonstrates government�s commitment to enhancing infrastructure throughout the province," said the minister.

"On average, this program provides funding for about 140 projects in more than 100 municipalities," said the minister. "This $20 million is cost-shared with the municipalities, which leverages program funding to about $35 million annually." One of the main themes of the Jobs and Growth consultation was the need for strategic investment in infrastructure. The investment in the Municipal Capital Works Program reflects upon this theme. The construction activity related to this program will create over 400 person years of employment in direct, indirect and spinoff jobs throughout the province.

In 1999/00, the provincial government introduced a multi-year Capital Works Program which provided funding to larger communities for projects which were too large to be effectively or efficiently accommodated within the regular Municipal Capital Works Program. Some 26 projects were approved in 10 municipalities for a total of $106 million. By funding these larger projects under the multi-year initiative, this removed much of the competition for funding under the regular Municipal Capital Works Program. This provides improved access to capital works funding for the remaining municipalities. The construction activity related to this initiative will create almost 1,300 person years of employment over the life of the program.

This is the second year of the multi-year initiative which will serve to complement the newly announced $35 million to be spent under the regular Municipal Capital Works Program.

"In addition to improving the environment and the health and well being of the residents of the province, the Municipal Capital Works Programs are an important economic stimulant," said the minister.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, Communications, (709) 729-1983.

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