TERRACE – Premier David Eby was in Terrace Friday to hand out some cash.
The province is providing 21 local governments, represented through the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA), with $250 million over five years to support infrastructure construction and the renewal or replacement of capital assets.
“By working together, we are ensuring people in northwest B.C. have the services and infrastructure they count on like roads, hospitals, water and housing,” said Premier David Eby, in a news release. “We are also making sure these communities can benefit from resource development in their region, and the pressures it brings. Everyone in B.C. deserves stability in their jobs and their communities today, tomorrow and for years to come.”
“As the minister of municipal affairs, working with RBA communities to get this new funding in place has been a priority for me as it is part of our government’s efforts to building a strong and sustainable economy in all parts of the province,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “I’m very proud of the work our government is doing to bolster the vibrancy of rural and northern communities. This new RBA funding will better address the unique infrastructure needs of each community in this large and diverse region as they continue to grow sustainably.”
The new one-time funding builds on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in September 2022 between the Province and the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance to help strengthen their partnership. The MOU commits to supporting local governments throughout northwestern B.C. It outlines common goals, sets out principles for future engagement and builds shared knowledge of the unique challenges faced in the region.
“Northwest B.C. is a fast-growing region with unique needs for the people who live here,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “This new funding agreement with the RBA will provide our communities with a stable, predictable source of revenue that will keep the region vibrant and attractive not only for current residents, but also for new business and industries along with their workers for many years to come.”
The RBA was formed in 2014 as an association of local governments in northwestern B.C. It includes member municipalities and electoral areas of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine and the North Coast Regional District.