Ron talking with Prime Minister Harper about important local priorities
A number of economic development initiatives are moving full steam ahead in Kelowna-Lake Country. In particular major infrastructure funding was announced in April which will help spur job creation in the Region. The joint federal/provincial/municipal funding will fund a series of local transportation improvements, help build local infrastructure, enhance community green spaces and invest in public safety initiatives.
A total of 39.9 million went into the riding in 2009 alone and there is more to come.
As the Prime Minister said in his economic update on June 11th the dollars are flowing. Not only will they provide much-needed economic activity in the Region but long term infrastructure improvements for our riding as well.
Our government is working with provincial and municipal governments to take unprecedented and extraordinary action to accelerate the job creating investments in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. 80 per cent of this year's part of our two year plan is already being implemented.
In every region of Canada, families and businesses are now paying less tax, unemployed workers are now receiving improved supports, and major job-creating building projects are already breaking ground. Our Economic Action plan is already:
- permanently reducing the tax burden on Canadians;
- providing tax relief and improved access to financing for Canadian households and businesses;
- assisting unemployed workers through extended EI benefits and improved skills training;
- supporting home ownership and creating jobs through housing construction;
- creating jobs through a massive injection of infrastructure spending;
- supporting the industries and communities hardest hit by the global recession; and
- investing in the jobs of tomorrow through new supports for research and technology.
- Below is a list of funding that has been received in our riding since January 2009:
Infrastructure and Transportation Total: $39.9 million
$39 million (fed/prov/municipal) for a series of local transportation improvements.
$900,000 (fed/prov/municipal) to Lake Country under the Towns for Tomorrow program to help build local infrastructure, enhance community green spaces and invest in public safety initiatives.
Gas Tax Fund Total: $4.8 million
In addition both Kelowna and Lake Country will receive funding via the Gas Tax Fund in the amounts of:
$4.3 million Kelowna (2008 to 2010)
$488,076 Lake Country (2008 to 2010)
The GTF makes capital investments in water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure, public transit, community energy systems, and local roads and bridges. The Gas Tax Fund combines predictable, long-term funding with local decision making and planning to enable municipalities to build and rehabilitate their core public infrastructure.
EcoEnergy, Research and Economic Development Total: $3.3 million
$63,500 Regional District of Central Okanagan under the Invest Canada Community Initiatives (ICCI) program to fund community-based programs to assist in the development and execution of local investment attraction strategies.
$400,000 with FortisBC for domestic solar hot water heating installation.
$2.86 million (federal/provincial) University of British Columbia – Okanagan geothermal system.
Seniors Total: $68,911
$68,911 in funding was granted to four local organizations under the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which helps organizations that support seniors to replace outdated equipment or undertake needed renovations.
Arts and Culture Total: $39,940.18
$10,000 Kelowna Visual and Performing Arts Centre Society
$17,600 Intercultural Society of Central
$ 8,000 Chamber Music Kelowna Society
$ 4,340.18 Central Okanagan Foundation
Skills and Training Total: $988,089.18
$69,444 Okanagan Science Technology Council Project OSTEC
$14,760 Medical Arts Health Research Group
$4,800 Focus Training Institute Ltd.
$385,763 YMCA−YWCA of the Central Okanagan- Youth Employment
$473,382 Project Literacy Kelowna
