EDMONTON- Defence Minister Peter MacKay was at CFB Edmonton Saturday, to announce new funding for Canadian Armed Forces infrastructure and education in Alberta.
"These investments are necessary to the management of Canadian Forces Base Edmonton and ensure military infrastructure is upgraded in a timely manner," Mackay explained.
$4.6 million will be invested to upgrade the sanitary and storm sewer systems at the Edmonton base. Mackay says this investment, which was contracted to Sprague-Rosser Contracting Co. Ltd. will prevent sanitary sewer back ups in military quarters, as well as install a storm water sewer system which previously did not exist.
The Minister also announced $1.28 million in funding which will go towards the inspection, testing and maintenance of fixed fire protection systems at Canadian Forces Bases Cold Lake, Suffield, and Wainwright. The contract went to Tyco International of Canada Ltd, with SimplexGrinnell of Mississauga, Ontario.
"Both of these contracts represent the government's ongoing commitment to make sure that Canadian Armed Forces personnel have the facilities, the infrastructure that they need to live and work and train," said MacKay.
He says these investments are also part of on ongoing effort to modernize bases across the country.
"We have aging infrastructure in Canadian Forces right across the country," MacKay explained. "We're doing our part to see that these facilities, first and foremost, are adequate, are safe, are able to match the needs for training purposes."
MacKay also confirmed that Lockheed Martin will be investing $3.7 million in the University of Alberta, to support the establishment of a training program related to the aerospace sector.
"It will include the use of Lockheed Martin corporate engineering and project management training course material until 2017," MacKay added.
The education program will benefit undergraduate and graduate engineering students in particular.
"Edmonton plays an extremely important part in the provision of security both at home and abroad and these investments are a reflection of that priority," MacKay concluded.
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