Improved septic facilities coming to North Thompson Valley Facilities in Barriere, Clearwater will remove need to truck effluent to January 26, 2013

Clearwater, – The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) will receive $1.4 million dollars from the Government of Canada through the Gas Tax Fund to construct two septage management facilities in partnership with the districts of Barriere and Clearwater. The project will serve over 7,300 residents located in the North Thompson Valley.

“Infrastructure investments are an important driver of economic growth and job creation, and I am pleased that these new facilities will help protect the environment and the health of North Thompson Valley residents,” said Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo. “Our Government is proud to invest in the North Thompson Septage Management Project to support the growing needs of Barriere and Clearwater for years to come.”

Over 90 percent of North Thompson Valley residents rely on individual septic systems. The development of these facilities will mean that the TNRD will no longer truck effluent to Kamloops for treatment, reducing CO2 by an estimated 75 tonnes annually and providing a significant savings in operational costs.

“As a regional government covering over 45,000 square kilometres, providing services in a financially sustainable manner can be a challenge,” said Thompson-Nicola Regional District Chair Randy Murray. “Federal contributions and inter-jurisdictional partnerships are vital to maintain the viability of rural communities.”

“Today’s announcement is just another example of what is being achieved through our partnership in the Gas Tax Agreement,” said Terry Lake, MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson. “This grant will greatly assist in building two septage systems that will help the regional district reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as operational costs.”

Since 2006, the Government of Canada has made unprecedented investments in infrastructure. Through the Gas Tax Fund alone, municipalities across the country have received over $10 billion in transfers for local priority initiatives. Making this fund permanent at $2 billion annually was part of Canada's Economic Action Plan – a plan to help create good jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.

Between 2007 and 2014, British Columbia will receive more than $1.48 billion from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.

“Wastewater improvements are always costly, particularly for smaller communities,” said UBCM President Mary Sjostrom. “This project demonstrates how the Gas Tax Fund is improving the delivery of core services in BC communities.”

For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure in British Columbia and throughout the country and to stay up to date with Web feeds, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca. To find out what the Government of Canada is doing to promote jobs, growth and prosperity, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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For more information:

Genevieve Sicard Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities 613-991-0700

Sukh Gill Chief Administrative Officer Thompson-Nicola Regional District 250-377-8673

Jeff Rud Communications Director Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development 250-953-3677

Paul Taylor Relationships and Communications Advisor UBCM 250-356-2938

Infrastructure Canada 613-960-9251 Or toll-free: 1-877-250-7154