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WILLIAMS LAKE – Cariboo area communities are receiving over $2.6 million in federal and provincial funding to upgrade the drinking water supply, improve local trails and strengthen local government services.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to join with the Province in providing Towns for Tomorrow and LocalMotion funding for these Cariboo area communities, which helps to both build local infrastructure and create jobs,” said Dick Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince George. “This is another example of how the federal government is committed to strengthening B.C.’s economy and keeping British Columbians working.”
“British Columbia looks to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness of funding by leveraging investment with other partners,” said Colin Hansen, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Olympics, on behalf of Community Development Minister Kevin Krueger. “Partnerships are a smart way to maximize a wide range of benefits for Cariboo communities.”
Today’s announcement includes:
Cariboo Regional District:
· $261,304 in federal and provincial Towns for Tomorrow funding for wheelchair accessible trails and recreation sites in 108 Mile, Horsefly, Kersley, Cottonwood and Ten Mile Lake. The project will benefit an area with about 5,000 residents.
· $182,243 through the Strategic Community Investment Fund, a restructuring of provincial grant programs to give communities more funding sooner, including Regional District Grant Funding to support the Cariboo Regional District in providing basic services.
· $1,256 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 174 communities to sign the Climate Action Charter committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2012.
City of Williams Lake:
· $150,000 in federal and provincial Towns for Tomorrow funding for the renovation of 4,500 sq. feet in the lower level of the Tourism Discovery Conference Centre, adding two rooms that will be able to hold up to 200 people each.
·
$140,000 in federal and provincial LocalMotion funding
for the Kiwanis Park Accessible Playground project.
· $701,599 through the Strategic Community Investment Fund, a restructuring of provincial grant programs to give communities more funding sooner, including:
· $493,184 in Small Community Grants to support Williams Lake in providing basic services; and
· $208,415 in Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing, as announced on March 23.
· $4,670 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 174 communities to sign the Climate Action Charter committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2012.
City of Quesnel:
· $375,000 in federal and provincial Towns for Tomorrow funding for upgrades to Quesnel’s drinking water supply, including the development of a new well and water treatment plant that will benefit 550 residents.
· $82,858 in federal and provincial LocalMotion funding for the Dragon Hill/Valhalla Trail project, which will link Dragon Lake and south Quesnel.
· $747,859 through the Strategic Community Investment Fund, a restructuring of provincial grant programs to give communities more funding sooner, including:
· $519,274 in Small Community Grants to support Quesnel in providing basic services; and
· $228,585 in Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing, as announced on March 23.
· $4,018 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 174 communities to sign the Climate Action Charter committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2012.
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
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, to 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, go to www.townsfortomorrow.gov.bc.ca.
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.
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.
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. The grant allocation takes into account three elements: basic funding for all municipalities with a population of less than 15,000, population-based funding, and property assessment-based funding. This year’s payment fulfils the Province’s commitment to double these grants over four years.
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.
The RuralBC
Secretariat, established by the Province in 2008, helps local governments access the tools they need to achieve
their unique visions for the future. The
secretariat provides a direct
service and information link between the provincial government and B.C.’s rural
communities. Local governments are
encouraged to visit www.ruralbc.gov.bc.ca
for more information.
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contact: |
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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