Governments fund local infrastructure

September 25, 2009

KELOWNA – Federal, provincial and local Okanagan governments have approved a joint investment of $15,989,160 through the Building Canada Fund and Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to get shovels in the ground on three projects.  These projects will benefit local residents by creating jobs, helping to boost the local the economy, and build longer-lasting local infrastructure.
 
"These funds ensure that we are putting shovels in the ground to keep our economy moving forward," says Kelowna- Lake Country MP Ron Cannan.  “Not only are we creating jobs, we are ensuring our communities have the infrastructure and parks they need as our region grows.”
 
“Having several new parks in our region is great news for our residents, improving our quality of life by promoting recreation and healthy lifestyles,” says Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart. 
 
“I am happy to see this funding go towards important infrastructure projects in our community, increasing safety for our residents, improving water quality and contributing to a greener environment,” says Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick.
 
“These projects are important for our residents, because they will create jobs for people struggling in these tough economic times,” says Kelowna–Mission MLA Steve Thomson. 
 
"One of the things our citizens have told us through our citizen surveys is that parks matter," says Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd. "This funding will allow us to move forward on projects we've identified as important to residents and we're extremely happy to be in a position financially to participate in this three-way funding program with our partners in government."

“This grant demonstrates the result of a successful working relationship between federal, provincial and municipal governments,” says Lake Country Mayor James Baker. “It is particularly important as the District strives to upgrade aging infrastructure and
amenities available to our residents.” The combined Federal, Provincial and Municipal funds for infrastructure projects are as follows:
 

Central Okanagan Regional District - $7,377,160 for the Westside Wastewater Treatment project. This upgrade focuses on increasing treatment reliability, and the environmental protection of Okanagan Lake, serving the districts of Peachland, West Kelowna, and the Westbank First Nation.
District of Lake Country - $5,040,000 to upgrade water quality and supply in the Wood Lake Water System, affecting 2400 residents.
Kelowna - $3,341,000 to develop seven parks throughout the city, providing additional recreation and leisure amenities for Kelowna residents and visitors to the community. Kelowna Okanagan Basin Water Board - $231,000 for the development of a web-based pilot project. Serving a population of 350,000, the pilot project will be a model for water use reporting throughout B.C. and will assist the Province in meeting its
Living Water Smart goals.

 
The Government of Canada's 2009 Economic Action Plan includes a vast array of initiatives to help to stimulate the economy, create jobs, build consumer confidence, and assist Canadians when they need it most during this global economic recession.  New large-scale infrastructure programs are one important element of this plan.
 
The project is funded under the Province's three-year, $14-billion capital infrastructure program that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.
 
Since February about 480 projects worth $3.4 billion have been announced. These will create an estimated 21,600 jobs in communities across British Columbia.
For more information on the Building Canada plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca. Information on the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is available at www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.