CRANBROOK, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/23/12 -- Today, David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay - Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced federal funding for St. Mary's Indian Band (Aq'am) under the Harper Government's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).

"Our Government, through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, is continuing to support communities across Canada," said MP Wilks. "This project will create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in our community."

Federal funding of more than $59,000 will help the St.Mary's Indian Band upgrade the septic and wastewater system at their village site near Cranbrook.

"This funding will assist the community in the implementation of a new Wastewater Storage System for the newly constructed Aqamnik Education Centre which offers Educational Programming from Kindergarten to Grade 7," said Michelle Shortridge, Manager of Housing and Capital Projects for St.Mary's. "The new wastewater system is an alternative solution for in ground septic disposal, and we're pleased that today's funding recognized the importance of this project."

CIIF supports, on a cost-shared basis, repairs and improvements to existing community infrastructure accessible to the public. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is delivering the Fund in Western Canada with an allocation of $46.2 million over two years.

Since 2006, the Harper Government, through WD, has invested in job-creating small and medium-sized businesses, aerospace, marine and defence industries, and supported innovative entrepreneurs in pursuing emerging markets. By continuing to promote new economic opportunities, WD is helping to create jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.

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