Canada 150 grant could offer opportunities for local infrastructure projects

By J.W. Schnarr
Taber Times
jwschnarr@tabertimes.com

The federal government has announced a new community infrastructure program as part of their Canada sesquicentennial celebrations, but full details could still be some months away.

During their regular meeting on April 28, Municipal Administrator Derrick Krizsan updated council on the announcement of the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program as part of a report on the 2015 federal budget.

“It’s something that may have some potential for community projects, maybe in the M.D. or the surrounding areas,” he said.

According to a government handout, the announcement comes as part of an effort to create a dedicated infrastructure fund to support the renovation, expansion, and improvement of existing community infrastructure in all regions of the country as part of the Canada 150 celebrations.

“Community-based facilities contribute to the quality of life in small communities and large urban centres across Canada,” the handout indicated. “The 150th anniversary of Confederation provides Canadians with an opportunity to celebrate Canada’s history, heritage, values, and future, by reinvesting in community infrastructure across the country, similar to the important infrastructure investments made as part of our nation’s centennial celebrations in 1967, which can still be seen in communities today.”

The federal government has earmarked $5.8 billion over six years, beginning in 2014-2015. Krizsan said some of that money could go to improving local infrastructure.

“There’s a lot of significant projects going on (in the area),” Krizsan said. “There’s any number of infrastructure updates in any of our communities within the M.D.”