Quesnel Gets Funding for Phase 2 of WQLS Project

Joint Release of Western Canada Economic Diversification/City of Quesnel:

Residents of Quesnel will benefit from Phase 2 of West Quesnel Land Stability project thanks to joint funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Small Communities Fund.

Quesnel will use the funding to stabilize about 240 hectares of the uplands area in West Quesnel through the installation of subsurface dewatering and drainage infrastructure. Ground movements are causing physical damage to homes, buildings, and buried infrastructure, resulting in expensive repairs and safety concerns. When completed, the community and local property owners will be less vulnerable to the risks and impacts of the unstable land in the area.

The project announced today is among 55 recently approved in British Columbia that will collectively receive more than $128 million in joint federal-provincial funding under the Small Communities Fund. These projects represent important investments in municipal infrastructure that maintain safe, healthy communities. Once complete, the work will significantly improve key municipal services for residents and help boost regional development.

Through the Small Communities Fund, the governments of Canada and British Columbia are working in partnership to provide funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs in communities across the province that have fewer than 100,000 residents. These investments support job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across British Columbia for years to come.

Quick Facts

· The Government of Canada will provide up to $2,425,051 through the Small Communities Fund for the project.

· The Province of British Columbia will contribute up to $2,425,051 to this project.

· Quesnel will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.

· The total estimated cost for this project is $7,275,155.

· The 55 projects approved for funding in British Columbia under the Small Communities Fund so far include 24 drinking water projects, 22 wastewater projects, four major roads projects, two disaster mitigation projects, two brownfield remediation projects and one solid waste management project.

Dick Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince George, for Hon. Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs said:

“We are proud to invest in projects like Phase 2 of West Quesnel’s Land Stability project that will benefit our community by improving much needed local infrastructure. Our Government’s commitment to municipalities, big and small, has never been stronger. Through the New Building Canada Plan’s Small Communities Fund, we are investing in priority infrastructure projects that have a positive and lasting impact on the quality of life of British Columbia’s residents while helping create jobs and economic growth.”

Hon. Coralee Oakes - MLA for Cariboo-North stated:

This next phase of the Quesnel Land Stability project will continue to build on the dewatering and drainage infrastructure that has already been constructed in our community. This will lessen the impact and damage resulting from ground shifts and will better protect private and public properties. This significant infrastructure project will help provide peace of mind to local residents. I commend Mayor Bob Simpson and council for their leadership and commitment to this project.”

Finally - Bob Simpson, Mayor of Quesnel, BC commented on the funding saying:

“The City of Quesnel appreciates the governments of Canada and British Columbia matching our $2.3 million investment in our Westside. This investment will enable us to continue our work on stabilizing the slide area that impacts 750 homes in West Quesnel by capturing and redirecting both the surface and sub-surface water which create the slide conditions. This is a significant and welcome investment in our community.”