Town of Channel-Port aux Basques to Receive $112,000 in Municipal Capital Works Funding

A municipal capital works investment of approximately $112,000 will support work to secure water main infrastructure for the Town of Channel-Port aux Basques.

�This investment will improve service and the reliability of the water main system, and ensure that residents have access to a reliable and efficient water source,� said the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. �We are pleased to invest in the upgrade of municipal infrastructure to ensure that municipal services are secure, infrastructure is modern and communities can remain vibrant and sustainable.�

Funding of approximately $50,000 will support emergency assistance for work completed as a result of a water main break which resulted in a severe water shortage, and approximately $62,000 will support work associated with leak detection and repair.

In Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation, the Provincial Government made an unprecedented multi-year commitment of a 69 percent increase in municipal capital works funding for fiscal years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11. This commitment increased the capital budget by $34.4 million annually, bringing the total annual Provincial Government commitment to $84.3 million.

The Provincial Government's infrastructure strategy is valued at more than $4 billion over the next several years. Provincial infrastructure projects totaling $1.6 billion will be tendered this fiscal year, creating an estimated 15,000 jobs (some seasonal) and providing significant economic stimulus to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador.

- 30 -

Media contact:

Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca

2009 08 04                             12:50 p.m.