Our mayor is encouraged by news that talks have begun to develop a new program to replace the Build Canada Fund, which is set to expire in 2014.

Federal Infrastructure minister Denis Labelle delivered that message during this week Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention in Saskatoon.

Bill Given says a new program is greatly needed across the country. 

"'Build Canada' came out of the response to the downturn in the economy  but it really had a massive impact on addressing the infrastructure backlog  that we see across the country. From coast to coast people are having issues with water treatment systems, roads and other types of infrastructure." 

The Build Canada Fund has provided $2-billion of federal infrastrucure money for municipalities on an annual basis.

Some local projects that have benefited from it are the reconstruction of the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, and the city-wide wi/fi system that is currently being installed. 

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