Estrie– The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, notes that the second and last call for proposals under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) opens today. Interested community organizations are therefore invited to submit their projects online beginning now.

“Improving communities’ quality of life is a priority for the Government of Canada,” said Minister Lebel. “Residents in communities across Canada are already enjoying the benefits resulting from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.”

The first call for proposals under the CIIF, which ran from July 25 to October 1, 2012, was a resounding success. In all, 542 projects were submitted, representing $132 million in potential funding. The Agency therefore made choices, ultimately selecting 93 proposals. The projects mainly involved the rehabilitation and modernization of community infrastructure facilities.

For this second call for proposals, applications for funding are to be sent using the electronic form available on the Canada Economic Development Web site and must be received before April 30, 2013.

About the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF)

The CIIF is part of Canada’s 2012 Economic Action Plan and has a nationwide budget of $150 million, including $31.2 million to be invested in Quebec. This Fund aims to support the rehabilitation and improvement, including expansion, of existing community infrastructure facilities.

For more information, visit the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.