After years of gas tax money flowing east, a larger portion is coming back to B.C. Local, provincial and
federal politicians announced Wednesday the North Okanagan would be getting $2.6 million to help with a variety of programs aimed at benefiting the environment. The gas tax agreement is the first one made with a province and the federal government will be sending $635 million to B.C. through 2010 to help fund green infrastructure programs. Tory MP Colin Mayes said the federal government was taking in $800 million a year in gas taxes from B.C. Mayes said those figures were five to seven years old, but said the agreement with the province marks the beginning of money flowing west. The federal government has always returned 10 per cent of the gas tax it took in, said Mayes, but noted the feds have been sending additional money to the province, including $137 million for the Kicking Horse Pass project.
federal politicians announced Wednesday the North Okanagan would be getting $2.6 million to help with a variety of programs aimed at benefiting the environment. The gas tax agreement is the first one made with a province and the federal government will be sending $635 million to B.C. through 2010 to help fund green infrastructure programs. Tory MP Colin Mayes said the federal government was taking in $800 million a year in gas taxes from B.C. Mayes said those figures were five to seven years old, but said the agreement with the province marks the beginning of money flowing west. The federal government has always returned 10 per cent of the gas tax it took in, said Mayes, but noted the feds have been sending additional money to the province, including $137 million for the Kicking Horse Pass project. 
The money handed out Wednesday will go towards several programs that will help the environment including a residential composting facility said Jerry Oglow, regional district chair. Officials are still looking for a site for the $1.1 million project. Coldstream ranch and Historic O‘Keefe Ranch are being looked at as possible sites. Oglow said there is a third site, but refused to say where it is. “We‘re looking at about three to five acres,” said Oglow. “It needs to be located in an area that doesn‘t affect neighbours.” Oglow said there are environmental concerns to be looked at as well when selecting a site. The new facility will be used for yard waste and Oglow said the eventual goal is for people to be able to drop stuff off at a minimal charge or even for free. The facility is expected to divert 11,000 tonnes of 
waste per year away from the landfill. The regional district is also looking at a number of other initiatives designed to help the environment including a transportation strategy and a regional growth strategy. Liberal MLA Tom Christensen said the gas tax agreement is an example of three levels of government working together. When asked if it was enough given the amount of money leaving the province, Christensen said the province is always looking for opportunities to work with the feds and is still talking to the federal government about a variety of other future projects. As for the latest federal handout, Christensen said the strategies developed will help reduce greenhouse gases. He said the Gordon Campbell government has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 30 per cent by 2010. “We know that local government decisions can influence as much as half of all greenhouse gases generated in this province,” said Christensen.
No comments:
Post a Comment