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For The Record

PROVINCIAL SUPPORT FOR HERITAGE PROPERTIES

March 2, 2009
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
 

Letters to the Editor

The Province has made key investments towards the protection and stewardship of B.C.'s heritage properties:

  • Feb. 26, 2009, the Province announced it is providing $8.1 million to help conserve and manage British Columbia's provincial heritage properties over the next three years. The funding will assist with management and conservation of a dozen provincial heritage sites that are operated by third-party community agencies under Heritage Site Management Agreements. These sites include Barkerville, Fort Steele, Point Ellice House, Craigflower Manor and school. This funding will be made available through the Province's supplementary estimates process pending approval of the legislature.
  • Feb. 24, 2009, The Province announced it is investing $196,960 from the Community Development Trust's Job Opportunities Program towards the restoration of numerous heritage trails south of Francois Lake. This project will not only preserve the trails near Francois Lake that were used as major trade, travel and communication lines by First Nations for centuries – it will provide jobs for twelve Cheslatta Community Forest workers.  The restoration will help in the trails being formally recognized as Heritage Trails, and promote the Southside Trail System as a year-round tourist destination, attracting hikers and winter sports enthusiasts.
  • Over the fiscal year of 2008/09, the Province invested a total of $200,962 in funding through the Community Heritage Planning Program to B.C. communities for the development of heritage strategic plans, condition assessments of historic buildings, conservation and feasibility studies and development of Community Heritage Registers.
  • Over the fiscal year of 2008/09, the Province invested a total of $343,750 in funding through the Historic Places Initiative to B.C. communities for the creation of records to be added to Community Heritage Registers.
  • From Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2008, the Province provided $75,000 to the BC Museum Association towards the establishment and development of the Heritage Tourism Alliance. This funding will assist in the development and marketing of heritage tourism experiences.
  • In Dec. 2008, the Province, in partnership with the federal Department of Canadian Heritage, provided $1.7 million to celebrate and recognize the significant role that heritage plays in B.C.  From this fund, $1 million was transferred to the Heritage Legacy Fund of B.C. Society to support community heritage projects through one-time grants of up to $20,000. The remaining $700,000 was provided to Barkerville, Fort Steele and other provincially owned heritage sites. More than 50 community projects, ranging from exhibits to special events and upgrades for heritage facilities were supported by the grants. The projects will take place in 37 B.C. communities over the next three months.
  • In Sept. 2008, the Province provided $25,000 towards the rehabilitation of Butterworth Cottage, part of the Cary Castle Mews Project.
  • In April 2008, the Province announced an investment of $10 million over three years to the City of Vancouver's Great Beginnings: Old Streets, New Pride program. This is a program aimed at recapturing the vibrancy of Vancouver's founding neighbourhoods and their historic buildings, streets and public spaces. Vancouver is home to some of our most historic neighbourhoods, which are culturally diverse and rich in history, heritage and architecture. This includes Gastown, Granville, Chinatown, Japantown and Strathcona.
  • In March 2008, the Province provided $1.09 million in one-time funding lift to the community partners who manage the provincial historic sites.
  • Over the fiscal year of 2007/08, the Province provided $72,000 to Cascadia Region Green Building Council to support the professional development training and professional forums on green rehabilitation and applying LEED to major building renovation projects.
  • In July 2007, the Province provided $334,760 through the Towns for Tomorrow program to the District of 100 Mile House to upgrade the historic Martin Exeter Hall and 100 Mile Lodge Conference Centre. Funds provided to 100 Mile House supported much-needed upgrades to the facility, including the removal of a deteriorated outdoor pool and the replacement of an aged sewer lift station.
  • In July 2005, the Province completed a $700,000 restoration and upgrade of the historic Ashnola Bridge, known locally as the Red Bridge. These upgrades capped two years of cooperative work between the community and the Province.

Letters to the Editor

March 12, 2009
Letter to the Editor
PROVINCE HAS CUT TAXES, SAVING MILLIONS
By Kevin Krueger
Minister of Community Development
Submitted: Vancouver Sun
Status: TBC
While the Province is not willing to pay a corporation's taxes, government has provided a 50% industrial property tax credit saving mills literally millions of dollars every single year. [Read More]