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Your B.C. Government

Local Government Programs and Supports

Your B.C. Government is providing ongoing support for municipalities to ensure they have the resources needed to build their community and provide services for residents.

What your B.C. Government is doing for Local Government Programs and Supports

  • Your B.C. Government is supporting communities to reduce emissions through the B.C. Climate Action Charter, which pledges to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2012. Those communities that have signed on to the charter have access to the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program that offsets the carbon tax for local governments and school districts.  
  • Your B.C. Government will work with the UBCM executive to find ways to manage the costs and benefits associated with resource roads across the province so they meet the needs of communities and industrial users.
  • The Province has created a Rural Secretariat within the Ministry of Community Development to assist local governments in applying for provincial and federal infrastructure programs; diversifying regional economies; and enhancing response to opportunities and urgent needs for communities.
  • Your B.C. Government increased the Towns for Tomorrow budget to $71 million over five years. The program allows smaller communities to access provincial funds for infrastructure projects.
  • The Province has increased funding by more than $2 billion for local governments since 2001.
  • The Province committed to doubling small community and regional district grants in 2005. In 2008, the third year of this four-year initiative, your B.C. Government distributed $47.6 million, up from $26.5 million in 2004. In 2009, $70 million in small community and regional district grants have been shared, achieving the Province's commitment.
  • More than $800 million through the Canada-BC Infrastructure Program (CBCIP) for infrastructure projects, including $267 million from the Province and $537 million in federal-provincial funding. Under the program, there was an approximate 75/25 split between green and non-green projects.
  • Your B.C. government returns 100 per cent of net traffic fine revenue to municipalities for community safety and policing. Since 2004, the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing program has provided an extra $297 million in funding, which has helped hire an additional 560 police officers. Prior to the program's expansion in 2004, qualifying municipalities received $10 million per year.
  • Provided funding for the $185-million Northern Development Initiative Trust, the $50-million Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust, the $50-million North Island Coast Development Initiative Trust and the $15-million First Nations Benefits Trust.
  • The Province has funded 87 projects through the $80-million BC Community Water Improvement Program, helping to improve drinking water and wastewater management systems.
  • $40 million in LocalMotion funding for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the accessibility of communities.
  • $20 million in B.C. Spirit Squares funding to celebrate BC's 150th birthday by building community gathering places across the province.
  • Your B.C. government, along with federal and municipal partners, have committed a total of $220 million through the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund to projects across the province, with at least 60 percent dedicated to assisting "green projects" such as drinking water treatment and distribution.
  • Under the Building Canada Fund (Communities Component), the federal, provincial and local governments will invest at least $426 million, through 2014, to help meet the local infrastructure needs and priorities of smaller British Columbia communities. As of April 2009, 41 projects have been announced across B.C. with a provincial contribution of over $55 million and a total project value of almost $223 million. Further funding rounds will be announced on a regular basis.
  • Passed Community Charter, which gave local governments the most empowering local government legislation in Canada. It cut red tape and provided more tools to stimulate economic growth and build strong communities. The Charter eliminated barriers, such as requirements that municipalities get provincial government approval on local community decisions. 
  • The Community Charter banned downloading of costs onto local government by establishing the principle that no new responsibilities are assigned to municipalities without providing for adequate resources to fulfil them.  
  • Passed resort community legislation and hotel room tax transfers, which recognizes that resort communities have unique service, infrastructure and development challenges and ensures they can receive a share of hotel tax to develop local tourism economies.
  • Investing $100 million over 10 years for flood protection projects throughout British Columbia – the largest such investment ever in the province.

For More Information:
LocalMotion
Towns For Tomorrow
B.C. Spirit Squares
Municipal-Rural Infrastructure Fund
Building Canada Communities Component