The community of Valemount and the Trans Mountain Expansion Project have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for a Community Benefit Agreement that will see a $185,000 contribution toward funding municipal infrastructure projects, recreation and local education programs. Trans Mountain has been pursuing Community Benefit Agreements with those along the pipeline corridor to provide direct benefits to communities if the proposed Expansion Project is approved and constructed.

"The Village of Valemount would like to thank Kinder Morgan for the commitment to our community of funding municipal infrastructure projects, recreation, and local education programs,” said Mayor of the Village of Valemount, Jeanette Townsend. “The MOU contribution of $185,000 is a concrete expression of respect toward the establishment of a good working relationship with the Village of Valemount."

“We are committed to working with the communities we operate in to maximize the benefits of the Project,” said Ian Anderson, President of Kinder Morgan Canada. “This agreement will provide local and direct benefits to the people and the community of Valemount. We all appreciate the communities we live in, and are happy to provide funding toward enhancing community infrastructure and educational programs, which gives potential students in Valemount more access to local training opportunities.”

Kinder Morgan values the relationships it has with the communities along its existing pipeline system and the proposed pipeline Project; these span over more than 60 years of history. This agreement was signed as part of an overall effort underway by Kinder Morgan Canada to work with pipeline-affected communities to identify local opportunities to give something back in recognition of the public inconveniences and temporary disruption created by construction of the proposed expansion. Additional agreements with municipalities and communities along the pipeline corridor are expected as Project planning continues.

Agreements now encompass the majority of pipeline construction communities along the corridor from Strathcona County, Alberta to Hope, BC with a total value of $4.2 million, representing close to 1000 kilometers of the pipeline. Agreements were previously announced with Hope and Barriere in BC, as well as Hinton, Edson, Stony Plain and Strathcona County in Alberta. Additional agreements with municipalities and communities along the pipeline corridor are expected as Project planning continues. Learn more about the Community Benefits Program here.