Leading-edge Water System For Boston Bar

For Immediate Release
2007CS0103-001510
Nov. 23, 2007

Ministry of Community Services
Ministry of Economic Development
Western Economic Diversification Canada

BOSTON BAR – The Government of Canada and the Province of B.C. are providing more than $1.3 million to improve drinking water quality in Boston Bar and eliminate a long-term boil water advisory. The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Barry Penner, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent, announced the grant from the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) today.“Today’s investment will greatly benefit Boston Bar residents by providing safe drinking water for approximately 500 people and by enabling the community to remove a long-standing boil water advisory,” said Strahl on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “The Government of Canada is proud to work in partnership with the Province of British Columbia. We are delivering on our promise to help communities become vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families.”

The investment enables the Fraser Valley Regional District to unify the region’s drinking water system by constructing a water treatment plant, reservoir and an improved water distribution system. The project will dissolve the One and One Quarter Mile Creek Waterworks System, which has been under a boil water advisory. The funding for this project is conditionally approved pending the successful completion of an environmental assessment.

“Ensuring B.C. communities have access to safe and healthy drinking water is one of the driving forces behind the government’s commitment to investing in sustainable infrastructure,” said Penner. “The B.C. government is proud to partner with the federal government and the Fraser Valley Regional District to make this improvement for Boston Bar residents.”

The total amount available from the CBCMRIF, with federal and provincial investment and matching local government contribution in projects, is over $220 million. The majority of the funding is targeted towards communities of fewer than 250,000 people and at least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with “green projects” such as drinking water supply, treatment and distribution needs as well as wastewater and energy efficiency projects. The remaining funds will be dedicated to other projects like tourism, recreation and other infrastructure.

More details on the program are available through the Canada-British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund website, at www.canadabcmrif.ca.

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Media contact:

Karl Yeh
Western Economic Diversification Canada
604 666-4714

Marc Black
B.C. Ministry of Community Services
250 356-6334