Construction for Water System Upgrade: Ready to Begin

Armstrong, British Columbia, April 9, 2009 – Colin Mayes, the local Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, along with George Abbott, the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Shuswap and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) President Robert Hobson are pleased to announce that construction on a project to provide cleaner water for more than 5,400 residents in Armstrong and Spallumcheen will begin following the long weekend. This project is made possible through a federal investment of $2.45 million from the Gas Tax Fund.

“Our Government’s top priority is the health and safety of Canadians,” said MP Mayes. “We’re working together to ensure that water is clean, clear and safe for Armstrong and Spallumcheen residents.”

The Fortune Creek Water System provides surface water for distribution in the community of Armstrong and six water districts in the surrounding Township. The upgrade will enhance the safety of the water system by providing secondary treatment. The total cost of the project will be $2.98 million, with close to $530,000 provided through Armstrong’s reserves.

“This economic downturn reinforces the importance of partnering at all levels of government to ensure that British Columbians have access to essential services and reliable infrastructure,” said MLA Abbott on behalf of B.C. Minister of Community Development Kevin Krueger. “Helping Armstrong to upgrade its water system has the combined benefit of increasing the reliability of the community’s drinking water while creating jobs with an infusion of capital.”

“Upgrading local water systems is a vital infrastructure priority for many communities in B.C.,” said UBCM President Robert Hobson. “UBCM is very appreciative of programs like the Gas Tax Fund that provide up to 100% funding for local projects.”

“We are very grateful to the federal and provincial governments and the UBCM for their support through the Gas Tax Fund which is helping us to undertake a large project in a timely way,” said Mayor Chris Pieper. “This upgrade demonstrates the City of Armstrong's commitment to fulfilling the terms of the Operating Permit Conditions. While we are very fortunate with the quality of our treated surface water to date, the addition of UV filtration will add another treatment barrier to help meet the “43210” guidelines set by the Interior Health Authority.”

The Gas Tax Fund delivers infrastructure funding to local governments and other eligible recipients primarily for capital projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Government of Canada extended the Gas Tax Fund to 2014 at $2 billion per year. This means a total of $1.6 billion in funding for local infrastructure in British Columbia. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities administers the Gas Tax Fund in B.C. in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.

Please visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca or www.civicnet.bc.ca for background information on the Canada – BC – UBCM Gas Tax Agreement.

For more information:

Office of Colin Mayes
Member of Parliament for Okanagan--Shuswap
250-260-5020

Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Canada’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure
613-991-0700

Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Community Development
250-387-4089

Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
Union of BC Municipalities
250-356-2938

Patti Ferguson, City Administrator
City of Armstrong
250-546-3023

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148