| Infrastructure Canada January 24, 2012 BURNABY, B.C. – The City of Burnaby has received $ 3,360,000 for construction of approximately 4,460 metres of new dikes. The project will reduce the flood threat to more than 100 industrial, business, and agricultural buildings thanks to a joint investment by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia. The announcement, made today, is aimed at helping Burnaby meet their pressing infrastructure needs, protecting families and communities’ critical infrastructure, and supporting continued economic growth. “The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening our communities and protecting Canadians,” said Parliamentary Secretary Andrew Saxton, MP North Vancouver, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. “We know that by investing in flood mitigation measures, we are delivering on our commitment to provide greater safety for residents, as well as significant economic benefits for British Columbia.” “This project is a prudent investment to protect Burnaby’s workers, businesses, and infrastructure,” said Harry Bloy, MLA Burnaby-Lougheed. “Without a dike, the workers in this area may need to be evacuated and crop production in the area could be compromised.” Funding is geared toward 22 flood mitigation projects in 20 communities which will help communities address existing flood concerns, and take proactive steps toward preventing flooding emergencies. The initiatives range from pump station upgrades in Richmond, to Fraser River flood protection and upgrading the Maple Pump Station in Surrey. Flood protection projects were selected based on local government or dike authority applications that offered cost-effective solutions for areas at risk. Funding for 22 flood mitigation projects in 20 communities was announced on January 24, 2012, by the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Shirley Bond, B.C. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General. This funding will help communities address existing flood concerns, and take proactive steps toward preventing flooding emergencies. The initiatives range from flood protection in the Cowichan Valley, to stormwater diversion in Summerland, to upgrading the Maple Pump Station in Surrey. Flood protection projects were selected based on local government or dike authority applications that offered cost-effective solutions for areas at risk. In 2008, the federal government allocated $136 million to the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund, to support local government infrastructure projects in communities with a population of less than 100,000 people. Of this funding, $25 million was specifically allocated to accommodate disaster mitigation projects selected through the Provincial Flood Protection Program. Mitigation funds will assist communities across B.C. by providing funding for new dikes, erosion protection, pump stations, flood boxes and other structures to better protect communities from flooding. The Provincial-Territorial Base Fund (PT Base Fund) is part of the Building Canada Plan and provides $175 million to each province and territory to address core infrastructure priorities such as water, waste water, green energy, regional and community airports, and safe roads. Of this funding, $23 million was identified for the Flood Protection Program. Since the beginning of this partnership, the federal, provincial and local governments have committed to 137 projects with a combined total value of nearly $125 million to protect communities against flood hazards throughout British Columbia. For more information on these funding programs, visit www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca and www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. -30- Media Contacts: Jaime Burke Government Communications and Public Engagement Infrastructure Canada | |
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