OVER $1 MILLION INVESTMENT FOR FORT ST. JOHN

FORT ST. JOHN – The City of Fort St. John will benefit from over $1 million in federal and provincial funding announced today to help build trails and invest in public safety initiatives.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to join with the Province in providing LocalMotion funding for Fort St. John, which helps to both build local infrastructure and create jobs,” said Hon. Jay Hill, MP for Prince George-Peace River. “This is another example of how the federal government is committed to strengthening B.C.’s economy and keeping British Columbians working.”

“During these economic times, we understand that every job counts,” said Blair Lekstrom, MLA for Peace River South, on behalf of Community Development Minister Kevin Krueger. “That is why we are pleased the federal government is teaming with the province in our LocalMotion program, which is injecting more nearly $500,000 into the local economy to create a 1 kilometre long commuting and recreational trail, and going a long way towards helping out workers and their families.”

Fort St. John will receive:

· $494,863 in federal and provincial funding from the LocalMotion program to construct a one kilometre long community trail along 100^th Street. The trail will contribute to the development of the City's bicycle and trail network plan and provide commuting and recreational opportunities residents.

· $555,786 through the Province’s Strategic Community Investment Fund, a restructuring of provincial grant programs to give communities more funding sooner, including:

o $243,239 in Small Community Grants to support Fort St. John in providing basic services.

o $312,547 from the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing program to enhance policing and community-based safety programs, as announced on March 23.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

-30-


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

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.