The federal and provincial ministers responsible for the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) announced today that more than $15 million has been contributed to 27 projects throughout the province under the first round of the program.

The majority of the applications approved have been for renewal or replacement of water and waste water systems across the province. The federal contribution for the 27 projects was $4,902,355; while the provincial funding for the Round I projects was $5,678,361. Municipalities provided $4,426,295 under the cost-shared program. (See attached table.)

"Canada's new government is helping our municipalities with an investment that will ensure they are able to replace and upgrade aging water and sewer distribution and collection systems which will increase water quality and improve sewage collection for the 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 Newfoundland and Labrador."

"We are pleased with the partnership with our federal and municipal counterparts to support important water and sewer infrastructure improvements throughout the province," stated the Honourable Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. "The installation of new municipal infrastructure will improve efficiencies, increase health and safety throughout the province, and eliminate ongoing maintenance issues which often plague older infrastructure systems."

The most significant project in terms of funding commitment in Round I was the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre. The $6.3 million project, which will be built in St. John�s, will provide world-class training facilities for athletes throughout the entire province. The federal and provincial contributions for this project was $2 million each, with the City of St. John�s providing $1.3 million. An additional $1 million will be raised through the private sector, an initiative which is being spear-headed by the Swilers Rugby Club.

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.

Applications under Round II of MRIF are currently under review by both levels of government.

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