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CHILLIWACK – The City of Chilliwack will benefit from federal and provincial funding to help build local sidewalks and walkways and improve public safety.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to join with the Province in providing LocalMotion funding for Chilliwack, which helps to both build local infrastructure and create jobs,” said Chuck Strahl, MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon. “These projects are an excellent way to improve on our communities and at the same time help build our local economies.”
“Chilliwack will benefit a great deal from this funding,” said
Chilliwack-Sumas MLA John Les, on behalf of Community Development
Minister Kevin Krueger. “We have
forged an excellent partnership with all levels of government to help give the
community the resources they need to build on its LocalMotion project as well
as continue to provide the services that residents rely on. Investing in our
communities will create many opportunities for residents and I am glad to see
projects like these are happening in Chilliwack.”
“The B.C. government is please to be able to assist Chilliwack in improving safety,” said Chilliwack-Kent MLA Barry Penner. “We are offering people healthy options with LocalMotion, as well as encouraging non-motorized transportation options.”
Chilliwack will receive:
· $102,767 in federal and provincial LocalMotion funding for constructing sidewalks or walkways along South Sumas Road, Hamilton Avenue, Keith Wilson Road and Bernard Avenue projects;
· $16,738 from the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program, equal to 100 per cent of the carbon tax paid. Chilliwack is one of 174 communities to sign the Climate Action Charter committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2012.
· In addition, Chilliwack will receive $1.08 million through the Province’s Strategic Community Investment Fund, a restructuring of provincial grant programs to give communities more funding sooner, including Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing, as announced 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.
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.
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.
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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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