Submitted by BC
Government Communications
Communities in the Prince George area are receiving over $1.1 million this spring from annual provincial grants and in recognition of their work to become greener communities.
The Prince George area will be receiving $870,387 through three annual local government grant streams. The funding is part of almost $40 million being invested into communities across the province to meet local needs including more policing, new equipment, increased community safety initiatives, infrastructure and service delivery priorities.
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George will receive a Regional District Basic Grant of $61,880. Small Community Grants will go to Valemount ($123,109), McBride ($124,216) and Mackenzie ($167, 696). And the City of Prince George will receive a $393,486 in traffic fine revenue.
“Small communities have a limited tax base, making it very challenging to provide the services residents need and deserve,” Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond said. “These grants help close that service gap and give flexibility to allow communities to determine their own local priorities.”
“Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing funding will provide additional resources for crime prevention, and as a result improve community safety and policing, while Small Community vand Regional District grants will maintain necessary services and projects based on each community’s need,” Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris said.
These are the first of two annual payments under the programs. A further payment of $75 million will be made in June 2015.
Since 2009, the Small Community, Regional District and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grants have provided more than $718 million in funding to support B.C. communities enabling them to invest money in projects that are identified as priorities at the local level.
The BC government has also provided $236,032 to local communities in recognition of their commitment to support healthier, more sustainable communities.
As part of the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program, Valemount has received $3,581; McBride $3,863; Mackenzie $32,233; Fraser-Fort George Regional District $18,709; and Prince George $177,646
“Continuing to find innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deal with the impacts of climate change is critical to ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy this beautiful place we call home,” Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond said. “The Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program is a way to support those communities that step up and take a leadership role in reducing their carbon footprint.”
“Creating incentive to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an effective way for communities to help mitigate the effects of climate change,” Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris said. “By investing in sustainable communities we are preserving our environment for future generations.”
The Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program provides conditional grants to communities that have signed the Climate Action Charter and supports their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Communities that report publicly on their progress toward meeting their climate action goals are eligible to receive a grant equivalent to 100 per cent of the carbon tax they pay directly.
In March 2015, $6.4 million was provided to B.C. communities.
Since 2008, the B.C. government has provided more than $25 million through the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program. Currently, 96 per cent of communities in B.C. have signed the Climate Action Charter.
To learn about the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program visit cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/greencommunities/carip.htm.
