The B.C. Government and Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA) have released the long-awaited details of how a promised $250 million infrastructure grant will be divided up among member communities.
From as low as $3,293,000 for the District of Stewart, to as high as $34,446,000 for the City of Terrace, the allotments are set to be distributed over the next five years. The money is earmarked specifically for planning and construction of essential municipal infrastructure projects that are critical for supporting new industrial development and creating livable communities for the workforce.
Details of the agreement were released during a signing ceremony at the Smithers airport with provincial government representatives RBA steering committee members.
“We just spent the last decade in talks focused on crumbling roads, sidewalks, water and sewer systems–and improvements to amenities that make life better for residents, things like libraries, arenas, pools and trails,” said Smithers Mayor and RBA steering committee member Gladys Atrill. “With this agreement, we each in our communities can begin to address that gap. Predictable long term funding–that’s a game changer.”
The formula used to determine the distribution of funds was developed by RBA members and based on the Northern Capital and Planning Grant program, followed by months of negotiation.
“As a resident in the Northwest I have never seen our communities pull together like you have,” said B.C. lands minister and Stikine MLA Nathan Cullen, speaking on behalf of the municipal affairs minster, Anne Kang.
“So much wealth comes from the northwest … [but] hasn’t been equal in what comes back. What we’re agreeing to here today, in principle, is the province recognizing the value of local government, and how we need to invest back into you to make our communities continue to be strong, vibrant, and beautiful.”
The funding builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2022 between the Province and the RBA, and and the subsequent 2024 budget announcement of the $250 million grant. The initial round of funding allocations are expected to be disbursed to RBA communities this year.
Formed in 2014, the RBA is a coalition of 18 communities and three regional districts, from Vanderhoof to Haida Gwaii. It aims to secure a fair share of government revenue from future resource developments in the Northwest.
The alliance is based on the understanding that small local governments are unable to tax large-scale industries and projects within their areas, as these are typically located outside local government boundaries. Despite this, these communities still face the financial pressures of providing essential services, while the tax dollars are sent south.
While the $250 million is welcome for RBA communities, it still falls short of establishing a formal agreement on regular revenue sharing.
“This is just the beginning,” said Terrace Mayor and RBA steering committee member Sean Bujtas. “It’s a great start and within a short time we’ll be right back at it, to prove this should be a long-term deal., so Northwest B.C. can prosper for generations to come.”
Since 2017, the province has now channelled more than more than $349 million through the RBA to Northwest communities.
The allocated amounts that each community in the RBA agreement will receive are:
Village of Burns Lake – $9,657,270
Village of Daajing Giids (formerly Village of Queen Charlotte) – $7,033,435
District of Fort St. James – $9,185,485
Village of Fraser Lake – $6,723,727
Village of Granisle – $4,951,306
Village of Hazelton – $4,562,864
District of Houston – $13,968,501
District of Kitimat – $19,551,818
Village of Masset – $6,607,142
District of New Hazelton – $5,882,881
Village of Port Clements – $4,454,983
District of Port Edward – $4,739,532
City of Prince Rupert – $34,300,856
Town of Smithers – $21,901,077
District of Stewart – $3,292,880
Village of Telkwa – $9,128,874
City of Terrace – $34,445,927
District of Vanderhoof – $19,102,804
Bulkley-Nechako Regional District – $14,426,166
Kitimat-Stikine Regional District – $11,898,950
North Coast Regional District – $4,183,528
Total – $250,000,000