Oct. 27, 2006

VICTORIA – The BC Liberal Government will provide more than $40 million for municipalities to develop town squares in celebration of British Columbia’s 150th anniversary and to help smaller communities build infrastructure, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today in his speech at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention.

"We want our cities and towns to be vibrant places where all citizens can come together and share their community pride and spirit,” said Campbell. “This funding will help strengthen communities in every corner of the province and build foundations for citizens for generations to come."

The B.C. Spirit Square Program will provide $20 million for communities to create or enhance outdoor public meeting places marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Colony of British Columbia. The Province will share up to half of the capital costs for projects up to a maximum contribution of $500,000.

“We want cities, towns and First Nations to join in the celebration and develop Spirit Squares that reflect the cultural diversity and history of their citizens,” said Campbell. “In 2008 we will mark a historic time for our province and we should celebrate by looking to the future of our communities.”

The Towns for Tomorrow Program will provide $21 million over three years for towns under 5,000 to support their infrastructure priorities. The Province will fund 80 per cent of each project, up to a maximum total value of $500,000, leaving the municipality to fund the remaining 20 per cent. “Small towns have very different challenges and infrastructure priorities and this program will help these communities meet their goals,” said Campbell.

The Premier also announced a new Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development, Kamloops- North Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger, who will work with rural communities in supporting their needs.

“The development of communities throughout British Columbia will play a vital role in how our province seizes the opportunity to be Canada’s Pacific Gateway,” said Campbell. “We will also continue to work with Prince George to establish an inland port, with Kamloops and Ashcroft to develop a Southern Interior Port and with the Northwest to establish an integrated port plan that will benefit the entire province.”

Premier Campbell noted these programs will build on the new Canada/BC Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund that will see over $150 million invested in rural infrastructure on federal/provincial/municipal cost-sharing basis. It will also build on other rural economic programs such as the $285 million invested in the regional development trusts, the Cariboo-Chilcotin and Omineca Pine Beetle Action Committees, the rural resource road program, the rural school initiative and actions to bridge the digital divide that have already put over $400 million in communities’ hands for their development priorities.