Three Western Newfoundland Communities to Benefit from the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund

The communities of Deer Lake, Trout River and Woody Point will undertake separate projects to improve their municipal infrastructure with federal, provincial and municipal contributions totalling $582,357 under the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).

"These projects represent the true spirit of collaboration � a cornerstone for Canada�s New Government," said the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Working together, all orders of government can respond to the unique needs of our communities regardless of where they are located."

The Town of Deer Lake will upgrade the water and sewer system in the community with an investment of $247,862. The Town of Trout River will undertake a $241,407 extension of its municipal water and sewer system; and the Town of Woody Point will upgrade the town�s water storage tank with $93,088 in shared costs.

"I am thrilled with this significant injection of funds for infrastructure improvements in these three towns," said Kathy Goudie, MHA for Humber Valley. "With a combined total in excess of a half million dollars, the Towns of Woody Point, Trout River and Deer Lake will be able to carry out needed improvements to their water and waste management systems, benefiting the residents for years to come."

The federal and provincial contributions under the Canada/Newfoundland MRIF for the Deer Lake project includes $82,621 from the Government of Canada and $83,447 from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Town of Deer Lake will contribute the remaining $81,794 toward the project.

At Trout River, the federal contribution is $80,469, while the province will contribute $113,461 and the municipal share will be $47,477.

The Woody Point project will include a contribution of $31,029 from the federal government, $43,752 from the province and an additional $18,307 from the municipality.

The $84 million, six-year Canada-NL MRIF Agreement is 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, helps set the strategic direction of the Agreement and identify priorities under the capacity-building component of the Agreement.

For more information on MRIF, visit //www.mpa.gov.nl.ca/mpa/mrifa/default.htm 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.

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