New Brunswick communities can now access more funding for infrastructure projects thanks to a second round of investments by the federal and provincial governments under the Communities Component of Building Canada Fund, announced today by the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans’ Affairs and Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southeast, along with New Brunswick Environment Minister Roland Haché.

“Today’s announcement is an important next step in helping communities in New Brunswick,” said Minister Thompson. “This additional funding will be used for construction projects like bridges, roads, and wastewater infrastructure. It will boost local economies, create jobs and most importantly, build stronger communities.”

“Strong infrastructure is vital in order for New Brunswick to remain positioned to be self-sufficient by 2026," said Minister Haché. “This investment will help facilitate infrastructure projects that are required for New Brunswick to achieve the goal of self-sufficiency, and to be a stronger contributor to the national economy.”

Through the Communities Component, the federal and provincial governments have already invested $38.2 million in the first intake of applications and will invest another $27.8 million in this second intake, which will help meet the local infrastructure needs and priorities of New Brunswick villages, towns and rural communities.

The deadline for the second intake of applications is Thursday April 30, 2009. All categories under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Plan will be open for this intake, with a focus on water, wastewater infrastructure, solid waste management, brownfield redevelopment, green energy, disaster mitigation, sports infrastructure, culture and collaborative projects. Projects will be selected by a federal-provincial committee through a competitive process. Municipalities can submit their applications online (https://bcfcc- fccvc.infrastructure.gc.ca) .

“In order to be sustainable, all New Brunswick communities need to be supported by quality infrastructure that will protect the environment and residents' health and wellness,” added Haché. “This second round of funding will serve to promote the sustainability of all our communities so that they'll continue to be places where people can be healthy, safe and prosperous.”

For more information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.

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Chris Day
Press secretary
Office of Canada’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure
613-991-0700

Infrastructure Canada
(613) 948-1148
	 
Jennifer Graham
Communications
Department of Environment
506-453-3700

Bruce Macfarlane
Communications New Brunswick
506-444-4606