Canada/BC invest in flood mitigation to improve community resilience

Joint Release from the Governments' of British Columbia/Canada:

Editor's Note -- Nazko FN and City of Williams Lake received successful grants from this funding stream as follows:

1) Nazko FN -- Three Nations Store and Lodge Flood Mitigation Works ($343,055 in federal funding alone)

 2) City of Williams Lake - Williams Lake River Valley & Toe of Frizzi Road Armouring ($636,358 in federal funding and $159,089 in provincial funding)

The safety and well-being of people are top priorities of the governments of Canada and British Columbia. Investing in local infrastructure during this extraordinary time helps create jobs, supports local economies, and makes communities more resilient.

Today, Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea-to-Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Mike Farnworth, British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, announced funding to increase flood resiliency and improve the safety of residents in 12 communities across B.C. - complete list here

The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are investing over $24.5 million in these projects through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s new COVID-19 Community Resilience Stream. Canada is contributing over $19.8 million, and B.C. is contributing over $4.7 million. Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment.

Additional projects will be announced in the coming weeks.

Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

• Across B.C., the Government of Canada has invested more than $4.3 billion in over 550 infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada plan.

• To support Canadians and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 Resilience Stream has been added to the over $33-billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to help fund pandemic-resilient infrastructure. Existing program streams have also been adapted to include more eligible project categories.

• Under the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, the federal cost share for public infrastructure projects is up to 80% in the provinces, and up to 100% in the territories and for projects intended for Indigenous communities.

• For projects that are federally funded at 80%, British Columbia contributed 20% to provide a total cost share of 100%.