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Province gives $8.9 million to Carillion Canada to continue highway maintenance

Mar 21, 2018 | 10:55 AM

EDMONTON — The provincial government is providing money to a company to ensure it can continue highway maintenance in Alberta.

In a news release Wednesday morning, the government announced it will be making $8.9 million available for Carillion Canada to continue maintenance operations, pay employees and keep doing business with suppliers. The money will result in no disruption in highway maintenance, including plowing and sanding.

“Keeping Alberta highways safe for travel year-round is our top priority,” said Transportation Minister Brian Mason in a statement. “This funding ensures that snowplowing, sanding and other maintenance will continue on all of our highways. It also means Carillion’s employees and suppliers will continue to be paid.”

Carillion Canada holds three of eight total contracts to provide maintenance to Alberta’s highways, and is responsible for maintaining approximately 43 per cent of the total highway network. Areas served include Fort McMurray, Drumheller, Hanna, Oyen, Sherwood Park, Lac La Biche and Lloydminster.

The company sought an order and stay of proceedings from the Ontario Superior Court under the Companies’ Creditor Arrangement Act, as a result of its parent company, Carillion PLC, going into receivership earlier this year.

The money will help the company maintain operations until April 30, and will cover outstanding amounts owed due vendors during the winter maintenance seasons.

The company has approximately 300 workers employed during the winter and 500 in the summer months.