Project approved under Canada's Small Communities Fund
June 26, 2015 – Tofino, British Columbia – Infrastructure Canada
Residents of Tofino will benefit from upgrades to the Barr's Mountain Reservoir thanks to joint funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Small Communities Fund.
Tofino will replace the existing Barr's Mountain treated water reservoir with a larger reservoir to better meet the fire protection and emergency water storage needs of the community. The community ran out of water in the summer of 2006. The larger and more earthquake resistant reservoir will help ensure that area businesses and residents have access to adequate water supplies to meet their current and future needs.
The project announced today is among those recently approved in British Columbia that will collectively receive more than $42 million in joint federal-provincial funding under the Small Communities Fund. These projects represent important investments in municipal infrastructure that maintain safe, healthy communities. Once complete, the work will significantly improve key municipal services for residents and help boost regional development.
Through the Small Communities Fund, the governments of Canada and British Columbia are working in partnership to provide funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs in communities across the province that have fewer than 100,000 residents. These investments support job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across British Columbia for years to come.
Quick facts
- The Government of Canada will provide up to $388,430 through the Small Communities Fund for the Barr's Mountain Reservoir project.
- The Province of British Columbia will contribute $388,430 to this project.
- Tofino will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.
- The total estimated cost for this project is $1,165,291.
- Of the 21 projects approved for funding in British Columbia so far, 11 are drinking water projects, nine are wastewater projects, and one is a brownfield remediation project. Additional projects are under review and could also soon be approved.
Quotes
"We are proud to invest in projects like upgrading the Barr's Mountain Reservoir in Tofino that will benefit our community by improving much needed local infrastructure. Our Government's commitment to municipalities, big and small, has never been stronger. Through the New Building Canada Plan's Small Communities Fund, we are investing in priority infrastructure projects that have a positive and lasting impact on the quality of life of British Columbia's residents while helping create jobs and economic growth."- The Honourable John Duncan Minister of State, Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North
"The expansion of the Barr's Mountain Reservoir will help mitigate the water shortages that Tofino has sometimes experienced in the past. Providing an adequate supply of good clean water now and into the future to both serve and protect Tofino's growing population is exactly the sort of project that this Small Communities Fund is designed to support. Of course, this project will not only support Tofino's residents but also Tofino's thriving tourism industry."- The Honourable Coralee Oakes Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
"Increasing Tofino's water storage capacity at Barr's Mountain is a critical step in building infrastructure that protects our growing community's firefighting needs and drinking water supply. This project is an excellent example of a working relationship between three levels of government to meet the infrastructure needs of residents, businesses and industry in Tofino."- Josie Osborne Mayor, District of Tofino
Associated links
- To learn more about the Small Communities Fund.
- For additional information on theNew Building Canada Plan.
- To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consultCanada's Economic Action Plan.
Contacts
Vincent Rabault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
Communications
250-953-3677
Communications
250-953-3677
Bob MacPherson, CAO
District of Tofino
250-725-3229
District of Tofino
250-725-3229
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada
11 comments:
Great news !
Wow!! I now can't decide who I'm now most likely to vote for this October..... All that money that the Harper government is so wonderfully giving to "little ol' Tofino", just because it's the right thing to do and they're so concerned about our well being, not to overlook nor minimize the equal amount from our great provincial leader, Clark. It's amazing how the purse strings loosen up in the weeks previous to an upcoming election.
Don't get me wrong, it's great news indeed to hear that our fresh water infrastructure is receiving the upgrades that are much needed....... but don't be fooled, people. This money that we were "given" today is actually our own money in the first place. We all paid this, and much more, in federal and provincial taxes.... only a small percentage of what we've given to "them" is being given back to "us". They "give" us 388K each, but they keep millions.
Nothing actually happened here, except that your governments continue to screw you.
As demonstrated by our new water rates for sure. $5.32 over 60 cubic meters while the resorts get their unlimited use water bills pretty much cut in half.
can anyone explain to us why resorts are paying less than you and me?
Resorts are paying less......because....... corruption exists. A few bucks in bribe money goes a long way, in the real world. Same way that "eco-lodges" and restaurants can operate as "non-profits" and avoid paying taxes. It's not about justice, or doing the right thing, or assuming your own fair share of responsibility. It's about bending and skirting and adjusting the rules to suit your own desires and dumping the burden onto the back of someone with less power and influence than yourself, while you practice your phoney smile and fake speechmaking ability and get ready for the next photo opportunity.
I have reviewed years and years of documents through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and have not uncovered any corruption. The water rates were arrived at with input from a consultant that uses a formula for equity. I don't agree with that formula but many jurisdictions do . The District of Tofino decides on which properties are tax exempt.
CRA determines what organizations have non-profit and charitable status.
I believe you that you've never uncovered any corruption. It's also likely that you haven't uncovered any local cocaine dealers...... but, as we all know, it only takes fifteen minutes to get one's hands on some crack, if one should be so inclined. The fact that no corruption has been uncovered does not prove that corruption doesn't exist. It only proves that those involved are good at keeping it hidden.
theres a crack in the industrial way water tank
It has s been leaking for over a year
While we're on the topic of water it's late Monday night after a long day of dodging tourists. the restaurants are packed and I'm sure everything else is too.
since we are experiencing drier than normal conditions I would suggest that a close eye be kept on our water supply and water consumption as well as the quality of the ahkmosis reservoir water. a very close eye.
How generous! The federal and provincial government are so incredibly generous that Tofino with its tiny population has to pay a third of the cost for the reservior. Wow! Tofino generates huge amounts of tax income for both levels of government and we get back peanuts. Will Tofino at least be able to use the hotel tax to pay the remaining third of the cost? Why should the citizens of Tofino who already subsidize the big hotel's and resort's water consumption now pay for the water reservoir upgrade to accommodate tourism. The cost for the upgrade should be fully paid by the federal and provincial government! If they want the tax revenue from tourism then they should pay for infrastructure upgrades for tourism. It is unreasonable to let our tiny community come up with a third of the costs (let's hope there are not the usual cost overruns).
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