Newfoundland and Labrador Communities to benefit from $84 million in 
federal, provincial and municipal infrastructure investments

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced the signing of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Agreement.

The agreement will mean a total investment of up to $84 million for infrastructure in communities of Newfoundland and Labrador, provided by federal, provincial and local governments. At least 60 per cent of the funding available under this agreement will go to �green� projects that improve the quality of the environment and contribute to cleaner air, soil and water.

Scott Simms, MP for Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, on behalf of John Godfrey, Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities), and Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, along with Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal Affairs, made the announcement.

�As part of the New Deal for Cities and Communities, the Government of Canada has committed to ensuring that communities, large and small, are sustainable, competitive, healthy centres for growth and innovation,� said Scott Simms. �Through this agreement and the $28 million in federal funding that will flow from it, we are able to work with the province and communities to address their public infrastructure needs. This partnership approach is important in allowing us to support common priorities.�

�Reliable infrastructure is important to ensure the long-term development and sustainability of municipalities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,� stated Minister Jack Byrne. �This investment demonstrates an important federal, provincial and municipal partnership that will strengthen infrastructure and improve services for residents of the province. We are pleased with the commitment demonstrated to ensure healthy, safe and sustainable communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.�

A commitment of up to one per cent of funds will be available to help municipalities improve and increase their capacity to manage their infrastructure assets. For example, this funding could be used to help communities enhance knowledge about their infrastructure assets, better evaluate life-cycle costs associated with infrastructure they own and operate, better assess the capacity of current infrastructure and identify future needs, and train municipal staff in long-term infrastructure management. This encourages a more efficient and sustainable approach to managing infrastructure.

The Canada-NL MRIF Agreement will be administered jointly by the Department of Municipal Affairs on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of Infrastructure Canada.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, acting on behalf of communities, will help set the strategic direction of the agreement and to identify priorities under the capacity-building component of the Canada-NL MRIF.

�This program will play a critical role and is essential to ensure that our communities are strong and vibrant,� said Wayne Ruth, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities. �As a result of this agreement, municipalities will experience positive infrastructure improvements and strengthened services, which represent an important investment in the long-term development of municipalities in the province.�

A Web site including information on MRIF, its partners and the application process can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/mpa or e-mail MRIF@gov.nl.ca. For additional information on this and other infrastructure programs administered by the Government of Canada, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.

Photo #1 and  #2: (L-R) Wayne Ruth, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, Scott Simms, MP for Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor and Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Ministerial Statement

Please see the following backgrounder for more information.

Media contact :

Val�rie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of Joseph McGuire
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-7241

Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs ACOA
(709) 772-2935

Infrastructure Canada
Communications and Promotion
(613) 948-1148

John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
(709) 729-1983

BACKGROUNDER
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador
Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Agreement

The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund is a $1 billion national initiative designed to help meet the Government of Canada�s commitment to ensure that Canadian communities, large and small, are sustainable, competitive and healthy centres for economic growth and innovation.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund Agreement (Canada-NL MRIF) will mean an investment of up to $84 million for municipal and rural infrastructure in this province, with contributions from federal, provincial and municipal governments. The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador will each invest up to $28 million towards the Canada-NL MRIF. The province may also invest additional funds in MRIF projects. Municipalities are expected to contribute about $21 million.

The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have also agreed that at least 60 per cent of the funding available under this program will go to �green� projects that improve the quality of the environment and contribute to cleaner air, soil and water. Green projects include water, wastewater, solid waste, public transit, and environmental energy improvements. Other eligible project categories will be local roads, cultural, recreational and tourism infrastructure, and broadband connectivity.

Project selection for the Canada-NL MRIF will be guided by joint a federal-provincial management committee. The NLFM has also been invited to nominate an observer to the management committee to help set the strategic direction of the agreement, and to identify priorities for the municipal capacity building component.

The agreement will run from the date of the signing of the agreement and will end on March 31, 2012.

The MRIF builds on the success and lessons learned from previous programs, especially the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Infrastructure Program, and complements programs such as the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, which addresses larger infrastructure needs, primarily in urban areas. The St. John�s Harbour Clean-up is one example of a project funded under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

For further information on Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador�s infrastructure programs, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.gov.nl.ca/mpa/ or e-mail MRIF@gov.nl.ca.

2005 11 24                          11:20 a.m.