September 25, 2009

MAPLE RIDGE – Canada, B.C. and District Maple Ridge have approved a joint investment of $6,130,465 through the Building Canada Fund and Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to get shovels in the ground on two.  These projects will benefit local residents by creating jobs, helping to boost the local the economy, and build longer-lasting local infrastructure.

“By assisting this community in developing their infrastructure we are not only building great places to live but we are also stimulating the local economy,” says Randy Kamp MP for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission. “All of these projects are critical to the development of the region and this round of funding will help to complete them in a timely manner.”

“With these projects we are helping Maple Ridge rebuild its downtown core which will encourage even further growth in the area and efforts to mitigate flooding are always important to our region,” says Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton. “We can be sure that these projects will promote growth in our communities, ensure safety as well as create jobs during these challenging economic times.”

“Maple Ridge is very fortunate to have a historic downtown,” says Ernie Daykin Mayor of Maple Ridge. “District Council's have recognized how important the downtown is and have invested significantly in preserving and enhancing this area.  This funding will allow us to continue our journey towards making the downtown a vibrant, pedestrian friendly and accessible place.
 
“In June 2007, we narrowly avoided flooding in the Albion area,” added Daykin. “It is imperative that the dykes get raised and we are thankful that senior governments have recognized this need and are generously contributing to the project.”

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

• $5,605,465 will be used to repair the aging infrastructure in the downtown core which will be addressed by a road and utility rehabilitation project. Work will be done on sanitary and storm sewer drainage systems, road and sidewalks, water distribution system to increase capacity, and expansion of the fibre optic network into downtown.
• $525,000 will be used to improve flood protection by increasing the elevation along a 1.5 kilometre section of the Albion Dike by approximately one metre. The project begins at the CP Rail mainline (the western terminus and access point of the dike) and proceeds south and east through Kanaka Creek Regional Park and east along the Fraser River frontage. Along with residential and park lands, this dike protects a critical industrial area that is responsible for around 30 per cent of the jobs in Maple Ridge.

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.