Twenty-six communities throughout B.C. will benefit from greater flood protection thanks to a joint investment by the governments of Canada and British Columbia.

The investment, announced today by the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond, on behalf of the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and MLA for Richmond Centre, on behalf of Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton, will help communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs, protect families and communities’ critical infrastructure, and support continued economic growth.

This joint investment of over $27 million is geared toward 26 flood mitigation projects, which will help communities address existing flood concerns and take proactive steps toward preventing flooding emergencies. The initiatives range from strengthening flood protection with higher dikes in Elkford to upgrading the Mark Creek Flume in Kimberley to protecting the downtown core of Port Alberni. Flood protection projects were selected from local government or dike authority applications that offered cost-effective solutions for areas at risk.

These investments are being delivered through two important programs. In 2008, the federal government allocated $136 million to the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund to support local government infrastructure projects in B.C. communities with a population of less than 100,000 people. Of this funding, $25 million was specifically allocated to accommodate disaster mitigation projects selected through the provincial Flood Protection Program. Mitigation funds are assisting communities throughout B.C. by providing funding for new dikes, erosion protection, pump stations, flood boxes and other structures to better protect communities from flooding.

The Provincial-Territorial (PT) Base Fund is providing $175 million to British Columbia to address core infrastructure priorities. Under this program, a joint commitment of up to $46.6 million was identified for initiatives under the Flood Protection Program.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

“By working as partners, we are preventing the heartache, disruption and significant costs that come from flooding damages to homes, businesses and communities. These projects provide safety for the public and help protect the businesses and industries that provide jobs for British Columbians.”

Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond -

“Our Government is committed to strengthening our communities and protecting Canadians. We know that by protecting our communities, we are delivering on our commitment to provide greater safety for residents, as well as significant economic benefits for British Columbia.”

Rhona Martin, president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities —

“The flood mitigation funding provided to these 26 communities is another example of our Federal and Provincial governments' ongoing support for local infrastructure.”

Quick Facts:

• Federal and provincial governments provide up to two-thirds of the funding for eligible project costs, with local governments and diking authorities covering the remainder of project funding.

• Working together, federal, provincial and local governments have committed to 166 projects with a combined total value of more than $173 million to protect communities against flood hazards throughout British Columbia.

Learn More:

For more information on these funding programs, visit: www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca and www.infrastructure.gc.ca.

Link to Jan. 24, 2012, Funding Announcement: http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/77_13451.asp

Two backgrounders follow.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602

Ben Letts
A/Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
604 666-7543
Email: ben.letts@wd-geo.gc.ca

Infrastructure Canada
Toll free: 1 877 250-7154

BACKGROUNDER

Building Canada Fund

Communities Component - Flood Mitigation

Cowichan Valley Regional District - Duncan - Koksilah Industrial Area Dike Construction
Total Eligible Cost:  $4,133,529
Federal and Provincial Share: $2,755,686

District of North Cowichan - North Cowichan & Duncan Dikes and Pump Station - Phase 3
Total Eligible Cost: $6,693,118
Federal and Provincial Share: $ 4,462,078

City of Port Alberni - Dry Creek Improvements
Total Eligible Cost: $2,736,500
Federal and Provincial Share: $1,824,332

City of Langford - Willing Park Stormwater Detention Pond Construction
Total Eligible Cost: $1,098,399
Federal and Provincial Share: $ 732,266

City of Chilliwack - Collinson Pump Station Upgrade
Total Eligible Cost: $2,500,000
Federal and Provincial Share: $1,666,666

Corporation of Delta - Delta - Beach Grove Dike Foreshore Protection
Total Eligible Cost: $1,000,000
Federal and Provincial Share: $666,666

Dewdney Area Improvement District - Mission - Hatzic Valley Pumping Station Upgrade
Total Eligible Cost: $625,002
Federal and Provincial Share: $416,688

Village of Harrison Hot Springs - Miami River Dike Pump Station Replacement
Total Eligible Cost: $1,720,800
Federal and Provincial Share: $ 1,147,200

District of Hope - Hope Wastewater Treatment Plan Outfall Protection
Total Eligible Cost: $461,160
Federal and Provincial Share: $307,440

Nicomen Island Improvement District Athey Road Dike Protection/Bank Stabilization Phase 2
Total Eligible Cost: $307,058
Federal and Provincial Share: $204,704

Pemberton Valley Dyking District - Ayers Dike Upgrade
Total Eligible Cost: $611,763
Federal and Provincial Share: $407,842

District of Squamish - Squamish River Dike Raising - Phase 2
Total Eligible Cost: $1,810,551
Federal and Provincial Share: $1,207,034

District of North Mackay Creek Dike Flood Mitigation
Total Eligible Cost: $1,423,352
Federal and Provincial Share: $948,900

Fraser Valley Regional District - Cultus Lake - Frosst Creek Sediment Basin Upgrades
Total Eligible Cost: $374,900
Federal and Provincial Share: $249,932

City of Enderby - Regent Avenue Lift Station Upgrade
Total Eligible Cost: $1,000,000
Federal and Provincial Share: $666,666

City of Vernon - Okanagan Landing Flood Protection - Phase 2
Total Eligible Cost: $2,141,001
Federal and Provincial Share: $1,427,334

City of Castlegar - North Lagoon Berm Armouring
Total Eligible Cost: $401,000
Federal and Provincial Share: $267,332

East Kootenay Regional District - Fairmont Hot Springs - Fairmont Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Phase 1
Total Eligible Cost: $467,329
Federal and Provincial Share: $311,552

District of Elkford - Boivin Creek Dike and Bank Improvements
Total Eligible Cost: $2,381,000
Federal and Provincial Share:  $1,587,332

City of Kimberley - Mark Creek Flume Stream Rehabilitation
Total Eligible Cost: $3,102,873
Federal and Provincial Share: $2,068,582

City of Prince George - Slope Erosion Protection
Total Eligible Cost: $1,187,000
Federal and Provincial Share: $791,332

Kitimat-Stikine Regional District - Dutch Valley Upstream Bank Stabilization and Erosion Protection
Total Eligible Cost: $75,477
Federal and Provincial Share: $50,318

District of Vanderhoof - Berm Construction
Total Eligible Cost:  $1,153,701
Federal and Provincial Share: $769,134

Total Cost: $37,405,513

Federal and Provincial Share: $24,936,996

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602

Ben Letts
A/Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
604 666-7543
Email: ben.letts@wd-geo.gc.ca

Infrastructure Canada
Toll free: 1 877 250-7154

BACKGROUNDER

Building Canada Fund

Provincial-Territorial Base Fund - Flood Mitigation

City of Richmond - Bath Slough Drainage Pump Station Upgrade
Total Eligible Cost: $3,770,000
Federal and Provincial Share: $2,040,000

City of Abbotsford - Barrowtown Pump Station Circuit Breaker
Total Eligible Cost: $200,000
Federal and Provincial Share: $133,332

City of Kelowna - Mill Creek Diversion Enhancement Project
Total Eligible Cost: $35,000
Federal and Provincial Share: $23,332

Total Cost: $4,005,000

Federal and Provincial Share: $2,196,664

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602

Ben Letts
A/Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
604 666-7543
Email: ben.letts@wd-geo.gc.ca

Infrastructure Canada
Toll free: 1 877 250-7154