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KELOWNA – The City of Kelowna will benefit from close to $2.4 million in federal and provincial funding announced today to help build local infrastructure, enhance community green spaces and invest in public safety projects.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to join with the Province in providing LocalMotion funding for Kelowna, which helps to build local infrastructure, create jobs and encourage physical exercise,” said Ron Cannan, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country. “This is another example of how the federal government is committed to strengthening B.C.’s economy and keeping British Columbians working.”
Kelowna will receive:
· $1,561,137 through the Province’s Strategic Community Investment Fund, a restructuring of provincial grant programs to give communities more funding sooner, including Traffic Fine Revenue.
· $700,000 in federal and provincial LocalMotion funding for the Gordon Drive Multi-purpose Pathway project, which will provide approximately 50,000 residents with non-vehicle based commuting and recreational opportunities.
· $66,754 from the Trees for Tomorrow program for three projects:
o $50,000 for the Mission Recreation Park Wetland and Arboretum Development project
o $4,394 for an Urban Mountain Pine Beetle Replanting project
o $12,360 for the City of Kelowna Memorial Park Tree Planting project
· $33,118 from the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program – equal to 100 per cent of the carbon tax paid as part of direct expenditures on fossil fuels. Kelowna is one of more than 175 communities that have signed the Climate Action Charter committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2012.
“Our government wants to make sure that communities have the resources they need to provide not only valuable services for residents, but policing and community safety programs,” said Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al Horning. “As well, through our relationship with the federal government, we can build infrastructure throughout Kelowna to create green and healthy communities and, most importantly, jobs for families.”
“This funding supports Kelowna’s goal for a safe, healthy and active community,” said Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd. “We can continue our investment in off-road pathways and our urban parks and support programs to keep our community safe.”
The LocalMotion project is part of an overall
$14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will
create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every
region of B.C.
Beyond this funding announcement, the Government of
Canada is taking important steps to support economic growth. Canada’s Economic
Action Plan, announced in Budget 2009, is a balanced stimulus plan that
includes massive investments in infrastructure, tax relief and transfers. This
plan will provide close to $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding
over two years which will address needs in communities across Canada, as well
as contributing to long-term economic growth through investments in public
infrastructure, such as roads, water treatment, green energy and transit.
BACKGROUNDER
Strategic Community Investment Fund: Through a restructuring of provincial grant programs, communities will see more funding sooner, giving them greater certainty and improved financial flexibility. Payments will be made on the basis of Strategic Community Investment Agreements with local governments. The first $133-million instalment on this two-year, $232-million initiative consists of the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program and Small Community and Regional District Grants.
The Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program: Of the initial
$133-million payment under the Strategic Community Investment Fund, $63 million
will help municipalities enhance policing and community-based public safety
programs. The Province has provided 100 per cent of net traffic fine revenues to
local governments since 2004, amounting to an additional $206 million.
Traffic fine revenue comes from fines on violation tickets, and the amount a
municipality receives is based on its contribution to total municipal policing
costs.
LocalMotion is a four-year, $40-million program helping communities to build capital projects like bike paths, walkways and greenways, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making communities more senior- and disability-friendly. The program provides local governments up to 50 per cent funding for approved projects up to a maximum contribution of $1 million. As a result of a commitment on the part of all levels of government to accelerate the disbursement of infrastructure funding to stimulate the economy, the federal government is proudly supporting the LocalMotion program. For more information, visit www.localmotion.gov.bc.ca online.
Trees for Tomorrow is a five-year, $13-million program that is supporting community organizations, First Nations and local governments in urban and rural areas in planting four million trees in the public areas of cities, towns, villages and regional districts throughout B.C. In its first year, the program is providing approximately $3 million to support the planting of trees and the implementation of other energy-saving initiatives across British Columbia. The initiative, first announced in the 2008 speech from the throne, involves cost-sharing with a range of applicants and stewardship organizations. To learn more, visit www.treesfortomorrow.gov.bc.ca
The Climate Action Revenue Incentive
Program helps communities that have committed to the goal of becoming
carbon neutral in their corporate operations by 2012, under the BC Climate
Action Charter. The program provides local governments with grants to offset
100 per cent of the carbon tax they have directly paid for fossil fuel
purchases.
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Ministry of Community Development 250 387-4089 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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