Small communities and other eligible applicants in British Columbia can soon apply for funding to support local infrastructure projects.

The total value of this funding from the three levels of government is up to $327 million over the next 10 years, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone announced today.

The Small Communities Fund, part of the federal New Building Canada Fund, is designed to support projects of local significance, including drinking water, wastewater, road improvements and green infrastructure, as well as local and regional airport projects.   

Application forms will be available Wednesday, Oct. 22. Program guides and application information are available online at: www.gov.bc.ca/smallcommunitiesfund

The announcement is the latest program providing funding to British Columbia communities as part of the Government of Canada’s New Building Canada Fund, which supports projects of national, regional and local significance that promote economic growth, job creation and productivity.

In May of this year, a renewed Federal Gas Tax Fund agreement was signed by the province, federal government and Union of British Columbia Municipalities that will provide approximately $2.76 billion funding to B.C. communities over the next 10 years.

Since 2002, the Government of B.C. has provided approximately $3 billion in new funding for local governments.

Quotes:

Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes −

“This funding will help communities invest in key infrastructure priorities - projects that treat wastewater, provide cleaner drinking water or make improvements to public transit or roads. These are projects that are crucial to healthy, vibrant communities.”

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone −

“We are committed to building strong communities by supporting collaborative, innovative and fiscally responsible programs. This funding will help build community infrastructure projects including transportation projects, an important part of our 10-year transportation plan, which will look at every facet of transportation in B.C. to prioritize projects for investment.”

Learn More:

Small Communities Fund: www.gov.bc.ca/smallcommunitiesfund

Infrastructure Canada: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/sc-cp-eng.html

Media Contacts:

Alison Giles
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 356-6305

Government Communications and Public Engagement
B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241