Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #07-004
January 18, 2007
Canada And Yukon Announce New Infrastructure Project Funding of More Than $10.5 Million From Municipal Rural Instrastructure Fund
OTTAWA, ONTARIO (January 18, 2007) - Four Yukon community-based infrastructure projects will get funding from the Canada-Yukon Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF). Today, the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon announced more than $10.5 million dollars in project funding for 2006-2007. Projects include the Hamilton Boulevard extension in Whitehorse, road improvements in the Mayo region, a new playground in Dawson City, and a new sewage facility for Pelly Crossing.
"Safe and healthy communities are our number one objective," said Community Services minister Glenn Hart. "These projects reflect the Yukon government's ongoing commitment to creating healthy and safe communities, and we are very pleased with the participation we receive from Canada and our local governments in reaching these goals."
"Canada's New Government is proud to be a part of projects that ensure that rural communities have the infrastructure to help them grow and develop," said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "I am pleased to see the success this funding program has delivered in terms of improving community infrastructure and creating new employment opportunities in the North."
The Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) supports a wide variety of projects related to public community infrastructure.
For more information about the Government of Canada and Government of Yukon infrastructure programs, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.infrastructure.gov.yk.ca.
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This release is also available on the Internet at http://www.inac.gc.ca.
For further information, contact:
| Line Gagnon Communications Government of Canada (867) 667-3315 |
Doug Caldwell Communications Government of Yukon (867) 667-8065 |
BACKGROUNDER
The Canada-Yukon Municipal-Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF) is a federal-territorial funding program created to help address the infrastructure needs of urban and rural areas. The program began in 2005 and will run for five years. It aims to help municipalities ensure that their residents have access to the same quality of public infrastructure as communities in the rest of Canada. For 2006-2007, more than $10.5 million dollars in MRIF project funding has been provided. By the end of the five-year program, up to $48 million dollars will have been spent to improve infrastructure in the Yukon Territory.
Approved Yukon Projects for the third MRIF intake
City of Whitehorse
Hamilton Boulevard Extension
Total Project Cost: $15,000,000
The MRIF project funding for the City of Whitehorse will contribute up to $10,000,000 of the project costs for the extension of Hamilton Boulevard by 5 kilometres. This extension will improve traffic flow by providing a second access road to the Granger, Arkell, McIntyre, and Copper Ridge neighbourhoods by creating new access and egress routes.
First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun
Cemetery Access Road
Total Project Cost: $350,000
The First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun will receive an MRIF contribution of $233,333 towards the $350,000 upgrade of the 3 kilometre cemetery access road, located near Mayo at km 47.5 on the Silver Trail. The road also acts as the access point for the First Nation's settlement land area, which is currently under review for potential residential use.
Trondek Hwechin First Nation
Tr’inke Zho Centre Play Ground
Total Project Cost: $225,000
Trondek Hwechin First Nation will be receiving an MRIF contribution of $150,000 towards a new playground to be constructed in Dawson City. As a culturally influenced resource with age specific equipment, the playground will be located adjacent to the Tri’inke Zho Childcare Centre, which is currently under construction.
Selkirk First Nation
Pelly Crossing Sewage Disposal Facility
Total Project Cost: $250,000
The Selkirk First Nation will receive $166,666 from MRIF for the development of a long-term sewage disposal facility in Pelly Crossing.