Posted by Moishe Alexander
The Government of Canada announced today that the City of North Battleford has been approved for an infrastructure loan as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The announcement was made by the Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Member of Parliament (Battlefords – Lloydminster) on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
“Our Government understands the importance of infrastructure in maintaining strong and prosperous communities,” said Minister Ritz. “This program is opening the door for municipalities to meet their housing-related infrastructure needs. Canada’s Economic Action Plan will continue to create jobs, stimulate communities in all corners of the country, and support Canadian workers and families.”
North Battleford has been approved for $2.5 million in a low-cost loan from CMHC’s Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program (MILP), to increase the water treatment capacity at the groundwater supply water treatment plant #1. The expansion will better utilize the existing groundwater supply facilities, will improve the availability of treated water storage and will reduce produced water loss for residents of North Battleford.
“The $2.5 million CMHC Municipal Infrastructure loan will help our city meet an increasing demand for water in North Battleford,” said North Battleford Mayor Ian Hamilton. “Site preparation for the expansion of Water Treatment Plant No.1 is now underway and the entire project will be complete by March 2011.”
Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides up to $2 billion in direct low-cost loans to municipalities, over two years, for housing-related infrastructure projects through the MILP. Municipal infrastructure loans are available to any municipality in Canada and provide a new source of funds for municipalities to invest in housing-related infrastructure projects. These low cost loans can also be used by municipalities to fund their contribution for cost-shared federal infrastructure programming.
Eligible projects include infrastructure related to housing services such as water, power generation and waste services, as well as local transportation infrastructure within and into residential areas, such as roads, sidewalks, lighting and green space.
As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.