Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

The City of Richmond applied for grants through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for much needed upgrades to their water and sewage system. As the City of Richmond continues to grow, basic services such as water and sewage require maintenance and upgrades. This funding (your taxpayer dollars) will deliver benefits that the people of Richmond will see every day they turn on their water taps, or flush their toilets.

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GOVERNMENTS FUND LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE

RICHMOND – Canada, B.C. and the City of Richmond have approved a joint investment of more than $10.2 million through the Building Canada Fund and Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to get shovels in the ground on two local projects. These projects will benefit local residents by creating jobs, helping to boost the local the economy, and build longer-lasting local infrastructure.

“I’m proud to see the Government of Canada working with the Province and the City of Richmond to improve our infrastructure,” says Richmond MP Alice Wong. “This partnership shows our commitment to help strengthen B.C.’s economy and provide jobs for British Columbians.”

“We’re not just building infrastructure with these projects,” says Richmond Centre MLA Rob Howard. “We’re also building up Richmond’s local economy by getting people to work at a time when every job counts.”

“Investing in infrastructure will help us get through this recession,” says Richmond East MLA Linda Reid. “These projects will also benefit our city for many years to come. Richmond wins in the short term, medium term and long term.”

“We’re looking at dozens of good jobs being created,” says Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap. “I’m proud that we’re meeting our commitment to stimulate the economy through infrastructure spending.”

“I’m very excited to have this partnership with the federal and provincial governments,” says Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “It makes it possible for us to deliver some much needed improvements to city services.”

The combined Federal, Provincial and Municipal funds for infrastructure projects are as follows:

* $6,189,000 for the Lulu Waterworks project, which will see municipal watermains replaced by the City of Richmond in priority locations.

* $4,049,000 for sewer upgrades. The City of Richmond has identified several areas as priorities, including the Eckersly pump station and forcemain upgrades located in the City Centre. In the Hamilton area, the construction of a new pump station will service a large area currently serviced by septic systems.

The Government of Canada’s 2009 Economic Action Plan includes a vast array of initiatives to help to stimulate the economy, create jobs, build consumer confidence, and assist Canadians when they need it most during this global economic recession. New large-scale infrastructure programs are one important element of this plan.

The project is funded under the Province’s three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.

Since February about 480 projects worth $3.4 billion have been announced. These will create an estimated 21,600 jobs in communities across British Columbia.

For more information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca. Information on the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is available at www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.

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