Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender announced today that local governments throughout British Columbia are sharing almost $108 million in provincial funding to support policing and safety measures, as well as community services and projects.

Regionally, $3,365,206 is coming back to East Kootenay municipalities and the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).

Provided from Small Community Grant, Regional District Grant and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grant programs, the funding allows local governments in B.C. to meet local needs in various ways, including more policing, restorative justice, increased community safety initiatives, infrastructure, administrative support and service delivery priorities.

Communities receiving Small Community and Regional District Grants (SCRDG): Village of Canal Flats – $309,119; District of Elkford – $378,214; City of Fernie – $463,285; District of Invermere – $388,212; Village of Radium Hot Springs – $261,466; District of Sparwood – $437,783; and the RDEK – $167,998.

Communities receiving both SCRDG and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Grants (TFRSG) are: the City of Cranbrook $169,469 (SCRDG) and $241,646 (TFRSG) for a total of $411,115; City of Kimberley $492,966 (SCRDG) and $55,068 (TFRSG) for a total of $548,034.

The Jumbo Glacier Resort Municipality did not receive any funds.

“Local governments can direct the funding from the Small Community and Regional District Grants according to their community needs and priorities. These grants help provide local services, programs and infrastructure in smaller and rural communities in every region of British Columbia,” Fassbender stated.

“I have said time and again that I would rather see net traffic fine revenues that are substantially smaller amounts, because it would mean nobody was behaving dangerously behind the wheel. We know there are still people who text and check their emails while driving, people who speed, and people who drink and drive. As long as people continue to accumulate traffic fines, we can continue to share these revenues to support community safety initiatives and local policing priorities to help make B.C. communities safer,” added Public Safety and Solicitor General Minister Mike Morris.

Since 2009, funding from these three grant programs has provided over $922 million to help support services that benefit B.C. residents, businesses and communities.

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