The communities of Steady Brook and Irishtown-Summerside in Western Newfoundland will undertake improvements to their municipal water and waste water systems, thanks to federal and provincial contributions made under the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).

"Canada's new government is helping to ensure that our municipalities are able to replace and upgrade aging water distribution and waste water collection systems which will increase water quality and improved sewage collection for the area residents," 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). "Helping municipalities improve their infrastructure systems has a direct impact on quality of life for families, and our government is pleased to help support these projects in Western Newfoundland."

The Town of Steady Brook will upgrade its existing storm water system and sewage lift stations with a contribution of $327,559. The federal government will provide $109,186 for the project, while the provincial share will be $153,953 with the municipality providing the remaining $64,420.

The Town of Irishtown-Summerside will receive a contribution of $367,591 to install new water and sewer lines to four streets in the community. Funding for this project will include $122,530 from the federal government, $172,768 from the province and $72,293 from the municipality.

"These infrastructure investments will greatly improve services to residents in Steady Brook and Irishtown-Summerside," stated the Honourable Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. "It is vital that communities have access to quality systems, and through partnerships with federal and municipal leaders we are making meaningful investments and positive impacts."

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 ACOA, 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.