Communities throughout British Columbia will soon be able to apply for a share of the combined $150-million federal-provincial infrastructure funding that will give them the help they need to deliver the water and wastewater services people count on.

Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, and Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, have issued the following statement in recognition of Homelessness Action Week, Oct. 13 to Oct. 19:

For many years, people have raised concerns that the decades-old development approval process is inefficient and adds too much complexity, cost and uncertainty for homebuilders.

Communities throughout British Columbia are showing leadership through actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to the effects of a changing climate, according to the latest report on local government corporate and community-wide actions.

New reports show that government’s supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness is substantially improving the quality of life for residents and reducing their use of emergency health services.

British Columbia’s annual allowable rent increase for 2020 has been set at 2.6%, the province’s annual rate of inflation — 2% lower than it would have been prior to the reduction government made in 2019.

People in need of affordable rental housing in View Royal will have access to more than 150 new housing units following development of a new mixed-income housing project.

Modern public infrastructure is key to promoting economic growth, strengthening the middle class and developing healthy, sustainable communities. That is why the Government of Canada is renewing its commitment to local governments through the federal Gas Tax Fund and delivering much needed support for their local priorities. 

The Province is helping Salt Spring Islanders move toward better water service with a $50,000 grant to the Capital Regional District to study options to better manage water on the island.

Local governments will benefit from nearly $1.5 million in provincial grants for developing housing needs reports to plan for long-term housing needs and support strong local economies.