$5 million funding received for Wells wastewater project

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

People in Telkwa will be better protected against wildfires after an investment by the Province to replace a high-priority section of the village’s water system.

“Amidst the increased risks of wildfires throughout B.C., my ministry will continue to invest in reliable infrastructure to ensure the safety of our communities,” said the Hon. Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Upgrades to Telkwa’s water system will replace aging sections of pipe, increasing the reliability of the system and improving water flow, so people in the community have the resources they need to remain safe in an emergency.”

Improved access to water during emergencies is made possible through an investment of $650,000 from the provincial government. This will support the replacement of aging pipe sections along Coalmine Road that connect Telkwa’s water-treatment plant to the village’s Morris Hill reservoir, which feeds the south side of the community. The replacement pipe will have a larger diameter than the existing one, significantly improving the water supply through the village.

“The village’s water and sewer systems require major updates in order to better serve the needs of the community and to ensure long-term sustainability,” said Leroy Dekens, mayor of Telkwa. “The village’s priority is to update critical high-risk watermains in the community, which will also increase fire protection.”

Nathan Cullen, MLA for Stikine, said: “People in Telkwa know first-hand how quickly wildfires can threaten a community. Earlier this summer, some residents in the regional district were issued evacuation orders as the Powers Creek wildfire expanded to the borders of the village. Our infrastructure needs to be able to support communities when they need it most. That’s why the improvements to the Telkwa water system are so important. The upgrade will ensure that first responders will have access to water without delays or interruptions.”

The Province is also working with the District of Wells and the District of Hudson’s Hope on two infrastructure projects:

• The District of Wells is receiving $5 million to support the Wells Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrades and Expansion project, which will preserve water quality, aquatic life and recreational uses of the Will River.
• The District of Hudson’s Hope is receiving $550,000 to support the district’s Kendrick Lift Station Upgrades project, which will make improvements to the lift station to meet WorkSafeBC’s regulatory requirements.

These projects are part of a $450-million investment by the Province in crucial public-infrastructure projects to support clean drinking water, wastewater and solid-waste treatment, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions in communities throughout B.C.

This is in addition to the $1-billion Growing Communities Fund, which was provided to all 188 B.C. municipalities and regional districts to support their unique infrastructure and amenities needs.

Ed Coleman, mayor, District of Wells –

“The Wells Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrades and Expansion Project creates long-term security and sustainability in our community and enables future development for the diversification of the District of Wells and the surrounding area economies.”

Learn More:

For information about the Growing Communities Fund, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/28220

January 21st, 2021 BC #COVID-19 Numbers Update

Joint Statement from BC's Provincial Health Officer/Minister of Health (Dr. Bonnie Henry/Hon. Adrian Dix):

“Today, we are reporting 564 new cases, including eight epi-linked cases, for a total of 62,976 cases in British Columbia.

“There are 4,450 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 309 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 68 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

“Currently, 6,816 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases, and a further 56,010 people who tested positive have recovered.

“Since we last reported, we have had 111 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 234 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 47 in the Island Health region, 95 in the Interior Health region, 76 in the Northern Health region and one new case of a person who resides outside of Canada.

“To date, 104,901 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 1,680 of which are second doses. Complete immunization data is available on the COVID-19 dashboard: www.bccdc.ca

“There have been 15 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 1,119 deaths in British Columbia. We offer our condolences to everyone who has lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have no new health-care facility outbreaks. The outbreaks at Vancouver General Hospital, Ridge Meadows Hospital, Hart House, Fleetwood Villa, Arbutus Care Centre and Renfrew Care Centre are now over.

“There is a community cluster in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region of the province, in and around Williams Lake. We remind people to pay close attention to how they are feeling and to immediately arrange to get tested if they are feeling unwell with symptoms of COVID-19.

“Despite our COVID-19 curve trending in the right direction, we continue to have new outbreaks, community clusters and high numbers of new cases. COVID-19 continues to spread widely in our communities.

“We need to do everything we can to break the chain of transmission. Right now is the time to do that.

“We must all continue to use our safety basics – at work, school, home and in the community. Right now, this is our number 1 means of keeping our communities safe.

“Thank you for doing your part and choosing to bend the curve, not the rules.”

Learn More:

For vaccine information, visit the BCCDC dashboard: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data
Or: www.bccdc.ca

For data regarding ongoing outbreaks in long-term care, assisted-living and independent-living facilities in B.C., visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data

Mental health support:

Mental health and anxiety support: www.bouncebackbc.ca 
Or: www.anxietycanada.com
Or: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/mental-well-being-during-covid-19
Or: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/virtual-supports-covid-19

The latest updates, guidance and information on COVID-19, and where to get tested:

The latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and to find a testing centre near you: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.

Provincial health officer's orders and guidance:

Orders: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Guidance on new restrictions: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

Non-health related information:

Financial, child care and education support, travel, transportation and essential service information: www.gov.bc.ca/covid19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.

COVID-19 exposure events, updates and information by health authority:

BCCDC (flights, work sites, etc.): http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/public-exposures
Fraser Health: fraserhealth.ca/covid19exposure
Interior Health: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/public-exposures/
Island Health: https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19/outbreaks-and-exposures
Northern Health: https://www.northernhealth.ca/health-topics/outbreaks-and-exposures
Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/public-exposures

For the latest videos and livestreaming of COVID-19 media availabilities, visit:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCGovNews

YouTube: www.youtube.com/ProvinceofBC 

Local Gov'ts receive funding for community services

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- the District of Wells will be receiving $425,350; the City of Quesnel will be receiving $601,646; the City of Williams Lake will be receiving $592,085; the District of 100 Mile House will be receiving $372,044 and the Cariboo Regional District will be receiving $140,000

The Province is supporting local governments throughout B.C. to meet their community’s needs, and provide basic services.

Included are varied infrastructure projects, such as water and sewer upgrades, police resources and staffing, and public safety programs.

“Local governments use these grants to help provide the services, programs and infrastructure that promote safety and benefit communities throughout the Province,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “These types of services are a big part of what makes living in British Columbia so great, and our government is pleased to provide these resources to continue building an even better B.C.”

The annual funding is provided through the Small Community Grant, Regional District Grant and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant programs. Local governments will receive approximately $108 million in shared funding from the provincial government to support local services and projects.

“We are pleased to share traffic-fine revenues with local governments to support their policing costs and community safety initiatives to help keep B.C. a safe place to live,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Our government is committed to continued support of local initiatives that benefit people throughout the province.”

The Small Community and Regional District Grant programs provide unconditional grants, enabling local governments to spend the funding according to their needs.

Since 2009, people in British Columbia have benefited from over $1.1 billion in funding from these three grant programs.

For a complete list of approved grants for 2018, visit -  https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Appendix_A.pdf

Quick Facts:

For 2018, the Small Community Grant, Regional District Grant and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing
Grant funding is allocated as follows:

Small- and medium-sized communities, regional districts and the Islands Trust, will receive over $54 million in Small Community Grant and Regional District Grant funding.

Communities with populations of 5,000 or greater will receive about $51 million in Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant funding.

Rural communities, and municipalities with less than 5,000 people, will receive a reduction in the provincial police tax of approximately $2 million per year, to help with policing costs.

Since 2009, the Small Community Grant and Regional District Grant programs have provided over $545 million to help address infrastructure, administration and service-delivery priorities.
Small Community Grants aid communities with populations of fewer than approximately 20,000.

Since 2009, more than $567 million has been provided, through net traffic fine revenues, to fund policing and community safety for communities with populations over 5,000.

Communities with populations of 5,000 or greater pay for policing services. Therefore, they are qualified to receive a Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant.

Communities with populations between 5,000 and 20,000, qualify for both the Small Community Grant and the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant programs.

Learn More:

For more information on Small Community, Regional District and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grants, go to:

www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/grants-transfers