OVER $1 MILLION INVESTMENT BENEFITS SAANICH, CRD

VICTORIA – Saanich will benefit from $266,000 and the Capital Regional District will receive $815,239 in federal and provincial funding to help build local infrastructure, invest in public safety initiatives and plant trees, Gary Lunn, Minister of State for Sport and MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, and Oak Bay – Gordon Head MLA Ida Chong announced today.

“These key investments in infrastructure will make a big difference in the daily routines of residents of Saanich and throughout the Capital Region,” said Lunn. “They will also increase environmental protection and create jobs at a time when the economy needs them most.”

The District of Saanich will receive:

· $235,000 in federal and provincial funding from the LocalMotion program to upgrade approximately 360 metres of the Bowker Creek Greenway, including widening and paving the trail through Browning Park, and providing an alternative route to Shelbourne Street.

· $31,000 from the Trees for Tomorrow program for the Baxter Park project.

“I am excited to announce this funding for the Greater Victoria region,” said Chong. “This investment reflects our shared commitment to work together to create new jobs and keep British Columbians working and supporting their families during this worldwide economic downturn. Partnerships like these are vital – we need a unified and co-ordinated approach to bolster local economies and keep our communities safe.”

“These projects help support Saanich’s goal for a healthy and active community,” said Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard. “I am pleased to see the provincial and federal governments working together to provide these infrastructure upgrades that will benefit our community by assisting us to meet priorities.”

The Capital Regional District will receive:

· $400,000 in federal and provincial funding from the Towns for Tomorrow program for the Port Renfrew fire and community centre energy refit and construction project. The project involves a joint ground source heat pump and standby power system that will service both the fire hall and community centre. The population served – 750 people – includes both Port Renfrew and the Pacheedaht First Nations.

· $275,387 in federal and provincial funding from the LocalMotion program to upgrade approximately 2.67 kilometres of the Galloping Goose regional trail including paving a portion of the unpaved trail and providing connection to the planned E&N Rails with Trails project through Esquimalt.

· $50,000 from the Trees for Tomorrow program for rehabilitation of a portion of the Hartland Landfill site.

· $78,104 in first instalment of the Province’s Strategic Community Investment Fund, a restructuring of provincial grant programs to give communities more funding sooner, including Regional District Grants to support the Capital region in providing basic services.

· $11,748 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. The community is one of more than 175 communities that have signed the Climate Action Charter committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2012.

“The provincial and federal government have invested in a number of local initiatives and projects in the Capital Region, all of which will benefit residents and help add to our environmental, social and economic sustainability,” said Geoff Young, CRD Board Chair. “The Port Renfrew Fire and Community Centre will receive $400,000, the Galloping Goose will see over $275,000 in upgrades and Hartland Landfill’s tree reforestation project will receive $50,000. Lastly the region will receive increased funding to our Strategic Community Investment Fund and through the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program, allowing us to strengthen our efforts to stimulate the local economy.”

“This funding is greatly appreciated by all our residents,” said Mike Hicks, CRD Electoral Area Director. “It will not only ensure the long term sustainability of our new fire hall but will provide a fantastic community centre for our children. What a terrific beginning to Port Renfrew's partnership with the Pacheedaht First Nations.”

“The Pacheedaht First Nation, the Commissioners of Port Renfrew and the Port Renfrew Fire Chief have worked together for over two years, to create a fire hall that we can all be proud of,” said Dorothy Hunt, Band Manager for the Pacheedaht First Nation. “This project is more than a building, it has brought our two communities together in business, friendship and simply made us better neighbours. Congratulations!"

The Towns for Tomorrow and LocalMotion projects are 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

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.

Towns for Tomorrow is a five-year, $71-million program that helps smaller communities and regional districts with infrastructure projects. Towns for Tomorrow provides up to 80 per cent of funding for communities under 5,000, to a maximum of $400,000, and 75 per cent of funding for communities up to 15,000, with a maximum of $375,000. 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 and meet the needs of communities, the federal government is proudly supporting the Towns for Tomorrow program. To learn more about Towns for Tomorrow, go to www.townsfortomorrow.gov.bc.ca.

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.

Small Community and Regional District Grants: $70 million of the initial $133-million payment under the Strategic Community Investment Fund will support local governments this year as part of the Province’s continuing commitment to help provide services in areas with smaller tax bases. This year’s payment fulfils the Province’s commitment to double these grants over four years.

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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Media contact:	Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Community Development 250 387-4089

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