The Strathcona Regional District is getting a financial boost from the federal government.
The organization is receiving $238,037 as part of an annual contribution to local governments from the Government of Canada’s Community Works Fund.
The payment is the first of two equal payments that the regional district will receive during the 2016/17 fiscal year.
The board was notified of the payment at last week’s Wednesday board meeting.
The funds are transferred to the regional district via the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), as per an administrative agreement on the Federal Gas Tax Fund.
The $2-billion fund goes towards helping municipalities build and revitalize local infrastructure while aiming to create jobs and long-term growth.
Eligible project categories include: public transit, roads, airports, drinking water, solid waste, recreation infrastructure, cultural infrastructure, tourism infrastructure, broadband connectivity and other long-term infrastructure plans.
Project eligibility was expanded by the Canadian government last year to allow Gas Tax monies to also be put towards recreational facilities.
Under the New Building Canada Plan, Gas Tax funds are allocated to each province based on 2011 census data.
Between 2014 and 2019, B.C. will receive $1.32 billion.
The City of Campbell River is expected to receive $1.36 million for the 2016/17 fiscal year.
The city last year used its Gas Tax funds to help pay for the Robron turf field.
Quick facts
- Through the Gas Tax Fund, close to $22 billion will go to Canadian communities between 2014 and 2024, including $5.5 million to North Island communities.
- The Gas Tax Fund has, to date, provided $17 billion to communities since the program began, including $2.1 billion in the 2016/17 fiscal year.