Victoria, BC– Every year the Capital Regional District (CRD) administers grants and funding for local projects in the Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island, and Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Areas. In 2022, the CRD distributed $3 million of funding to 28 projects in these three Electoral Areas through the Government of Canada’s Community-Building Fund, including $1 million for a new fire hall on Salt Spring Island.
“The Government of Canada is proud to have supported nearly 30 infrastructure projects in the Capital Regional District last year through the Canada Community-Building Fund”, said the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “The Canada Community-Building Fund helps communities direct federal funding to their local infrastructure priorities. This flexibility allows projects that residents know will make a tangible difference in their communities to move forward.”
“We know that creating vibrant communities means improving aging infrastructure, and ensuring families have places to build a healthy lifestyle,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “I’m proud to see that, together with the federal government, we’re supporting the CRD to build and to grow communities in Juan de Fuca, and on Salt Spring Island and the Southern Gulf Islands.”
The Canada Community-Building Fund provides annual funding to the CRD to support local infrastructure and capacity building projects. The CRD reviews applications from CRD services and third parties throughout the year. Applications are subject to meeting the program’s eligibility criteria, availability of funds, and receiving Electoral Area Director support. The Canada Community-Building Fund is administered in British Columbia by the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
Additionally, the CRD awarded over $149,000 through electoral area Grants-in-Aid to 31 projects for initiatives benefitting local communities, and over $43,000 in COVID-19 Safe Restart Grants-in-Aid to seven projects.
“The Electoral Areas of the Capital Regional District are diverse and dynamic communities that benefit from the funding provided by the Canada Community-Building Fund and Grants-in-Aid. These funds enable us to support local priorities that enhance the quality of life for our residents,” said Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area Director, Paul Brent. “We are grateful for this support, and we look forward to seeing the positive impacts of these projects in our electoral areas.”
Grants-in-Aid are one-time grants to fund special projects and activities, awarded to community non-profit organizations operating within electoral areas that are not already funded by requisition. Safe Restart Grants were available to organizations impacted by COVID-19 where many applications highlighted revenue loss as a driver for support.
An overview of the projects funded through the Community Works Funds and the Grants-in-Aid (including Safe Restart GIA) in 2022 can be found in their respective annual reports:
For more information on federal infrastructure funding, visit: www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Zoe Gray, Website and Public Engagement Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3225
Cell: 250.507.7657