Communities in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are receiving federal-provincial investments in key infrastructure projects, announced local MLAs Doug Bing and Marc Dalton on behalf of Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

The Small Communities Fund is providing just over $87 million to 26 recipients throughout the province.

Small Communities Fund recipients for Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are:

• $4,650,000 Pitt Meadows; Pitt Polder Pump Station Replacement
• $2,300,000  Maple Ridge; Maple Ridge and Downtown Core Road and Utility Rehabilitation Project; Phase 4

The Small Communities Fund is part of the New Building Canada Plan, which includes $1 billion for projects in communities with less than 100,000 residents. In B.C., the fund received $109 million from both the provincial and federal governments, for a total of $218 million in infrastructure funding, for projects that support economic growth, a clean environment and stronger communities.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development –

“By aligning municipal, federal and provincial dollars, the Small Communities Fund eases the challenge of meeting the infrastructure demands that small communities face – ultimately benefiting British Columbians throughout the province. Projects supported by this fund – whether in public transit, drinking water, green energy or wastewater management  – will leave lasting impacts in their communities.”

Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure – 

“When public infrastructure in many of our smaller communities is in need of repair or upgrade, the high costs associated are often difficult for a community alone to bear. However, when senior levels of government act together, we can facilitate these important infrastructure improvements and build stronger communities throughout B.C.”

Doug Bing, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA –

“Both communities in my riding will benefit from this partnership funding between the provincial and federal governments. These two projects will ensure safer roads in Maple Ridge and protection from flooding in Pitt Meadows.”

Marc Dalton, Maple Ridge-Mission MLA –

“Maple Ridge is benefiting enormously from the investments that our province is making into the roads and other infrastructure projects in our city. The subsequent congestion relief and safety enhancements through these projects have enduring effects on the city of Maple Ridge.”

Quick Facts:

• Projects eligible for funding under the Small Communities Fund include public transit, drinking water, wastewater, solid waste management, green energy, innovation, connectivity/broadband, brownfield redevelopment, disaster mitigation, local/regional airports, short-line rail, short-sea shipping and highways/roads.
  • The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development is responsible for drinking water, wastewater, solid waste management and green-energy projects.
  • The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is responsible for all other categories.
• Fifty-five Small Communities Fund projects were approved in 2015, representing $64 million in funding each from the provincial and federal governments for a total of $128 million.

Learn more:

Small Communities Fund: http://www.gov.bc.ca/smallcommunitiesfund

Infrastructure Canada: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/sc-cp-eng.html