| Infrastructure Canada January 24, 2012 PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The City of Prince George has received $5,442,000 for the River Road Dike Construction project. Prince George is now better prepared for flood emergencies thanks to a joint investment by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia. The announcement, made today by Cariboo-Prince George Member of Parliament, Dick Harris, and Solicitor General Shirley Bond, is aimed at helping Prince George meet their pressing infrastructure needs, protecting families and communities’ critical infrastructure, and supporting continued economic growth. "I am pleased to be part of this announcement of much needed funding for the River Road Dike project,” says Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George. “Our Conservative government is committed to helping communities with projects just like this. Providing $5.4 million for this project will ensure the safety of business and people who travel River Road during possible flooding conditions." “Our Government is committed to investing in infrastructure projects that will increase community safety and help our economy grow,” says Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River. “Investing in the River Road Dike Construction project will help to protect our residents, while at the same time provide significant economic benefits for Prince George.” "The River Road Dike project shows a commitment to strengthening our communities and protecting the people of Prince George,” says Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “This investment in flood mitigation measures delivers on a promise to be as prepared as possible for flood emergencies.” “This project will address a pressing infrastructure need in Prince George while creating jobs and supporting economic growth,” says Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. “The businesses and people of Prince George will be safer as a result of this investment.” “The River Road Dike Construction project is a critical component of the City of Prince George’s Flood Mitigation Strategy and we are pleased to work collaboratively with other levels of government to address the City’s infrastructure needs,” says Mayor Shari Green. Funding for 22 flood mitigation projects in 20 communities was announced on January 24, 2012, by the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Shirley Bond, B.C. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General. This funding will help communities address existing flood concerns, and take proactive steps toward preventing flooding emergencies. The initiatives range from flood protection in the Cowichan Valley, to stormwater diversion in Summerland, to upgrading the Maple Pump Station in Surrey. Flood protection projects were selected based on local government or dike authority applications that offered cost-effective solutions for areas at risk. Federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs, with local governments and diking authorities covering the remainder of project funding. These investments are being delivered through two important programs. In 2008, the federal government allocated $136 million to the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund, to support local government infrastructure projects in communities with a population of less than 100,000 people. Of this funding, $25 million was specifically allocated to accommodate disaster mitigation projects selected through the Provincial Flood Protection Program. Mitigation funds will assist communities across B.C. by providing funding for new dikes, erosion protection, pump stations, flood boxes and other structures to better protect communities from flooding. The Provincial-Territorial Base Fund (PT Base Fund) is part of the Building Canada Plan and provides $175 million to each province and territory to address core infrastructure priorities such as water, waste water, green energy, regional and community airports, and safe roads. Of this funding, $23 million was identified for the Flood Protection Program. Since the beginning of this partnership, the federal, provincial and local governments have committed to 137 projects with a combined total value of nearly $125 million to protect communities against flood hazards throughout British Columbia. For more information on these funding programs, visit www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca and www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. -30- Media Contacts: Jaime Burke Government Communications and Public Engagement Infrastructure Canada | |
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