Communities on the North Coast are receiving a combined $19.7 million from the Province to help address long-standing infrastructure needs and support planning for future development opportunities.

The following communities on the North Coast will receive the new grant.

• North Coast Regional District: $1,712,000
• Prince Rupert: $8,121,000
• Port Edward: $2,098,000
• Port Clements: $2,085,000
• Queen Charlotte: $2,935,000
• Masset: $2,753,000

The grant payments are part of the recently announced $100-million Northern Capital and Planning Grant, which provides funding for infrastructure and long-term planning to four regional districts (Fraser-Fort George, Bulkley-Nechako, Kitimat-Stikine and North Coast) and their 22 participating municipalities.

“We’ve been hearing from local governments in northern B.C. about the challenges they face funding much-needed upgrades to their aging infrastructure, and I know this new grant will help close the gap,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “With this funding, communities can start moving forward on the initiatives they need to seize opportunities now and down the road.”

Local governments may use the grant to meet an immediate infrastructure need for their community, save it for a future opportunity, or leverage it to secure other sources of funding, including borrowing, reserves and other grant programs, to cover major infrastructure and long-term planning initiatives.

“The people of the northwest have contributed more than their fair share of labour and resources to the economic success of our province,” said Jennifer Rice, MLA for North Coast. “These grants are a way of recognizing those contributions and ensuring that communities have the ability to build much-needed infrastructure for the future.”

The release of funds to local governments follows the announcement of the Northern Capital and Planning Grant by Premier John Horgan and Robinson on Feb. 16, 2019.

The Northern Capital and Planning Grant is part of the Province’s commitment to northwest mayors to make sure local workers and communities can reap the full benefits of resource development in their region.

Quotes:

Kris Olsen, mayor of the Village of Queen Charlotte –

“On behalf of the Village of Queen Charlotte ‘Daajing Giids,’ Haawa and thank you for your investment into our community and the northwest.”

Lee Brain, mayor of Prince Rupert –

“It’s great to see this financial commitment from the Province to the northwest. Investing in infrastructure is what will help us make this a more livable place for the residents who live here now, and for the people we want to attract as Prince Rupert continues to grow as a trade gateway.”

Quick Facts:

• The LNG Canada facility is expected to bring an influx of people into the region. The Northern Capital and Planning Grant will help local governments improve infrastructure and services for the new and existing population.
• The 22 municipalities received a total of $83.7 million and the four regional districts received $16.3 million.
• Small communities received a larger proportional share of the grant to compensate for their reduced commercial and industrial tax base.

A backgrounder follows.