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For Release
March 16, 2006
Eighteen Alberta Communities Benefit from $11.6 Million in Green Infrastructure Initiatives
Edmonton, Alberta – Eighteen communities in Alberta are benefiting from nearly $11.6 million invested into municipal infrastructure projects through the Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP).
On behalf of the Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Senior Regional Minister and Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, made the announcement with the Honourable Dr. Lyle Oberg, Alberta Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation.
"The Government of Canada strives to sustain communities by investing in infrastructure projects that bring added value, build stronger economies and improve standards of living," said Minister Prentice. “ICAP has left a lasting legacy of environmentally sound developments in many of Alberta’s municipalities.
"The Alberta government was pleased to contribute to improving municipal infrastructure in the province through ICAP," said Minister Oberg. "The program is an excellent example of all three levels of government working together to improve the lives of Albertans."
Project highlights include the Phase II construction of Hall D in the Shaw Conference Centre to accommodate a vast scale of domestic and international conferences and events, and the construction of a 20-kilometre water pipeline to provide residents of Beaver County with potable water.
Under ICAP, the federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs. Partnering communities or private sector organizations (proponents) cover the remainder of project funding. In Alberta, ICAP is implemented by
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation. It is administered by a joint secretariat. The federal and provincial governments together are investing $6.87 million towards the $11.6 million announced today. The proponents are investing the remaining $4.74 million.
To date, 809 ICAP projects have been announced in Alberta under this partnership program. With these projects, ICAP has exceeded its target of investing at least $508 million in federal, provincial and municipal funding toward municipal infrastructure in urban and rural communities across the province.
The ICAP Management Committee approves the projects and is composed of representatives from the governments of Canada and Alberta, the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) and the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMD&C).
“The AUMA applauds ICAP as it has been critical in helping municipalities address the infrastructure deficit that has been building for many years,” commented AUMA President Bob Hawkesworth. “Clearly, given the number of municipalities participating and the $11.6 million of funding made available, there is a need for programs of this nature to continue.”
“The funding support offered by ICAP allowed our member municipalities to take on needed infrastructure improvements,” said Don Johnson, President of AAMD&C. “Infrastructure is a high priority for municipal districts and counties.”
The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program agreement was signed October 10, 2000. Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in Budget 2005.
For additional information, contact:
| Donna Kinley ICAP website: www.icap-pica.ca |
Trent Bancarz |
|
WD Toll-Free Number World Wide Web Site: |
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378) |
Fact Sheet
Partnership Program
- The Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP) is a partnership involving federal, provincial and municipal governments that also allows for private-sector participation. All three orders of government played an important part in the design of this program.
- Under ICAP, the federal and provincial governments can provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible costs. Partnering communities or private sector organizations in the program provide the remaining project funding. For the 809 ICAP projects and $591 million approved to-date since June 8, 2001, federal and provincial contributions total approximately $338.41 million.
- In Alberta, the program is implemented by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, and is administered by a joint secretariat.
Grassroots Driven
- ICAP is designed with a bottom-up approach. Accordingly, municipalities play an important role in the program. The majority of projects will address local infrastructure needs identified by the municipalities.
- The federal and provincial governments may also propose projects to ensure that regional projects involving more than one municipality are not overlooked.
Program Priorities
- ICAP’s first priority is “green” municipal infrastructure. Green infrastructure includes projects related to water and wastewater systems, water management, solid waste management and recycling, and capital expenditures to retrofit or improve the energy efficiency of buildings and facilities owned by local municipalities.
- The ICAP agreement specifies that a minimum 40 per cent of the total value of all approved projects must be invested in green municipal infrastructure.
- Secondary priorities include local transportation, cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure supporting tourism, rural and remote telecommunications, high-speed Internet access for local public institutions and affordable housing.
- To ensure the infrastructure needs of rural communities are considered, a minimum 26 per cent of total approved costs for all projects in Alberta must be invested in projects proposed by rural municipalities.
Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program
Backgrounder
| Project Locations | Number of Projects | Combined Federal / Provincial Contribution | Total Project Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
Beaver County |
1 project |
$813,332 |
$1,305,400 |
Village of Donnelly |
1 project |
$52,180 |
$83,749 |
Village of Edgerton |
1 project |
$40,354 |
$64,476 |
City of Edmonton |
1 project |
$2,935,332 |
$4,535,090 |
City of Grande Prairie |
1 project |
$1,044,282 |
$2,120,000 |
Summer Village of Grandview |
1 project |
$6,218 |
$10,519 |
Town of Hinton |
1 project |
$246,104 |
$395,000 |
Village of Irma |
1 project |
$56,320 |
$90,393 |
Kikino Metis Settlement |
1 project |
$22,080 |
$46,438 |
City of Leduc |
1 project |
$308,000 |
$688,973 |
Village of Mannville |
1 project |
$55,718 |
$89,429 |
Town of Okotoks |
1 project |
$166,666 |
$267,500 |
Town of Provost |
1 project |
$179,960 |
$369,693 |
Red Deer County |
1 project |
$333,332 |
$535,000 |
Town of Strathmore |
1 project |
$84,098 |
$160,500 |
Village of Waskatenau |
1 project |
$43,600 |
$74,900 |
City of Wetaskiwin |
1 project |
$86,000 |
$138,030 |
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo |
1 project |
$400,000 |
$642,000 |
|
|
|
|
GRAND TOTAL |
18 Projects |
$6,873,576.00 |
$11,617,090.00 |
Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program
Project List Summary with Total Project Costs
Beaver County |
$1,305,400 |
Treated municipal water will now be available to residents of Kinsella through the construction of a 20 km water pipeline connecting into Viking’s water distribution system. |
|
Village of Donnelly |
$83,749 |
Residents of Donnelly will enjoy a smoother drive and improved drainage of storm water because the roadway improvements to Third Street. Improvements will include a new asphalt overlay and curb and gutter restoration. |
|
Village of Edgerton |
$64,476 |
Edgerton’s new campground is expected to boost the local economy by attracting more tourists to the Village. This project will also have a positive long-term environmental impact on the area by converting a sandy land area into a green space with berry trees and shrubs. |
|
City of Edmonton |
$4,535,090 |
The Shaw Conference Centre is in phase II of construction of an expanded conference space. The expanded facility is expected to attract more large-scale international conferences and events to Edmonton and contribute to the city’s economic growth and sustainability. |
|
City of Grande Prairie |
$2,120,000 |
Municipal water capacity will be increased through the construction of a 2,425 meter, 600 mm raw water pipeline system ultimately resulting in increased water pressure for Grande Prairie’s residents. |
|
Summer Village of Grandview |
|
The smaller residents of Grandview will benefit from access to new playground equipment including swings and slides. |
|
Town of Hinton |
$395,000 |
Several enhancements will emphasize the “Old Drinnan Town” theme of the Hardisty shopping district. Improvements include the installation of improved sidewalks, crosswalks, parking areas, light standards, benches and waste facilities for barrier-free access. New trees and shrubs will enhance the area and banners and flags will add to the historical atmosphere. |
|
Village of Irma |
|
The driving comfort of motorists will be improved by repairing the roadways of Irma with a layer of cold mix asphalt. |
|
Kikino Metis Settlement |
|
Installing power connections to approximately 48 stalls at a resort campsite will allow for increased tourism activity in the community. |
|
City of Leduc |
$688,973 |
Main renovations to the centre include an increase in the seating capacity from 254 to 460 and a 100 per cent increase in the size of the foyer. Upgrades were also made to the interior flooring, seats, wall coverings, curtains, lighting, sound system, control room, dressing rooms, washroom facilities, coat check and air flow system. New indoor and outdoor signage display the Centre’s new name, The Maclab Theatre for the Performing Arts. |
|
Village of Mannville |
|
Paving selected roadways in Mannville will increase the driving comfort of motorists. |
|
Town of Okotoks |
|
The south bank of the Sheep River will be stabilized to protect the town's west well sites. Erosion of the riverbank would alter the level of the groundwater table and may lead to decreased water flow from the west wells. |
|
Town of Provost |
|
The upgrading planned for 50th Street between 52nd and 54th Avenues will include a four-inch lift of pavement and replacement of the curb and gutter. This will extend the roadway’s service life and improve the drainage flow of storm waters resulting in a smoother driving surface and drier yards for Provost residents. |
|
Red Deer County |
$535,000 |
The Waskasoo wastewater treatment system will be upgraded to meet the latest in environmental and wastewater treatment standards. Upgrades will include replacement of obsolete pump control systems at three lift stations; installation of new flow monitoring equipment; improvements to ventilation systems; installation of SCADA and remote communications systems; and installation of hydrogen sulfide control and management systems. |
|
Town of Strathmore |
|
Strathmore’s old anaerobic sewage treatment lagoon will be converted into a new balancing lagoon to ensure environmental standards are met. The piping and intake grit chamber will be upgraded; the intake screens will be relocated; and the interior berms of the old lagoon will be reconstructed. |
|
Village of Waskatenau |
$74,900 |
Residents of Waskatenau will enjoy driving on a smoother roadway when 50th Avenue is resurfaced with new asphalt. |
|
City of Wetaskiwin |
$138,030 |
The concrete foundation for Wetaskiwin’s water tower will be strengthened through structural repairs. The water tower is one of Canada's oldest operating municipal water towers. Built in 1909, it represents an important piece of Canada's history. The water tower is 150 feet tall and can be seen from a distance of 10 kilometres. |
|
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo |
|
Residents of northern Alberta will now have access to telecommunications service through the construction of up to 10 radio towers in the region between Fort McMurray and Conklin, Alberta. The completed towers will include facilities to house mechanical and electrical equipment. For towers where access to grid power is not possible, solar/propane-powered generators will be the power source. |
|
| TOTAL PROJECTS TOTAL PROJECT COSTS |
18 $11,617,090.00 |