WHEREAS small communities under 2,500 population which are dependent on residential taxation are struggling to fund infrastructure improvements; AND WHEREAS the federal and provincial governments have not committed to providing future funding for infrastructure upgrades: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM petition the federal and provincial governments to continue to fund Towns for Tomorrow, LocalMotion and federalprovincial infrastructure programs.
Ministry of Community, Sport Cultural Development The Province is aware that small communities are concerned about the continuation of infrastructure grant programs such as Towns for Tomorrow, LocalMotion and federalprovincial infrastructure programs. The Ministry continues to work on developing funding programs that meet the needs of local governments in British Columbia. The 30 million Community Recreation Program, launched by the Honourable Christie Clark, Premier, at the 2011 UBCM Convention, builds on the success of the Towns for Tomorrow and LocalMotion programs. This new program, while open to all local governments, has a strong focus on small and rural communities recognizing the unique challenges they face with infrastructure improvements. The application deadline for the program was December 28 2011 with an expectation of approvals in the Spring of 2012. Additionally, the province is in discussions with the federal government on the continuation of the Building Canada Fund with an expected signed agreement in place by 2014. Currently, there are no capital funding programs accepting applications at this time. In the near future, UBCM is expected to announce a new 2012 intake for applications to the Gas Tax pooled funds General Strategic Priorities Fund and Innovations Fund.
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure Communities The Government of Canada is taking action and is making strategic investments in infrastructure that contribute to our economy, job creation, a cleaner environment, and strong and prosperous communities. In Budget 2011, our government committed to work with provinces, territories, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other stakeholders to develop a long-term plan for public infrastructure that extends beyond the expiry of the Building Canada plan in 2014. To fulfill this commitment, the Government of Canada launched a three-phased, federally-led engagement process on November 30, 2011, through which we will work with our provinces, territories, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities - and other key stakeholders, to take stock of accomplishments to date, identify gaps and strategic priorities, and confirm the principles of the next infrastructure agenda. Other major elements of the Building Canada plan will continue to provide a source of long-term, predictable funding for municipalities. More than 50 percent of Building Canada, or 17.6 billion over seven years, goes to municipalities to fund their priorities through the Gas Tax Fund and through the increased GST Rebate. As you may know, on December 15, 2011, Bill C-13 entitled Keeping Canadas Economy and Jobs Growing Act received Royal Assent, thereby delivering on the Budget 2011 commitment to legislate the Gas Tax Fund as a permanent source of long-term sustainable funding at 2 billion per year, so that municipalities can count on this stable funding for their infrastructure needs now and in the future.