CANADA & B.C. SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, SMALL COMMUNITIES

April 06, 2009

Enderby, BC – John Baird, Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister, along with B.C. Community Development Minister, Kevin Krueger, recently announced federal and provincial support for the development of up to 161 community infrastructure projects that will create jobs and help build stronger communities through a joint investment of close to $48 million.

Today, MP Colin Mayes and MLA George Abbott announced $398,400 in funding for the implementation of an industrial/commercial/institutional water metering program as part of the Towns for Tomorrow program. This project involves the installation of ICI water meters and a drive by Hybrid reading systems. This project will address water reduction and work towards achieving the City of Enderby’s water reduction target of 25%.

“Investment in projects that assist in the reduction of water-use in our riding benefits all constituents in the future” said MP Colin Mayes, Okanagan-Shuswap.

“By improving water management through residential metering we are working towards our conservation goals,” said Shuswap MLA George Abbott. “We have investments going into all aspects of developing infrastructure in the community to support jobs and future growth.”

“We are thrilled to receive the financial support of Senior government. Without this partnership the metering project would create too great of a financial burden for our rate payers and could not proceed. Metering is a key component of our overall Water Conservation Strategy which is designed to promote less water usage in the interest of all users and the environment in general.” said Mayor Dee Wejr.

The Government of Canada’s contribution to the Towns for Tomorrow and LocalMotion programs is conditional on the projects meeting all the federal requirements for infrastructure funding and the successful signing of a contribution agreement with the province.

Towns for Tomorrow supports the infrastructure needs of communities under 15,000 and LocalMotion provides funding for projects such as trails, bike lanes and pathways. To learn more about both programs visit: www.townsfortomorrow.gov.bc.ca and www.localmotion.gov.bc.ca.