WHISTLER SIGNS FIRST RESORT REVENUE SHARING AGREEMENT VICTORIA

Gov. B.C. News Release
Gov. B.C. Backgrounder

– The community of Whistler will be able to attract more visitors and offer residents and tourists a wide range of new and better amenities as a result of the new Resort Municipality Revenue Sharing agreement signed today with the Province, announced Community Services Minister Ida Chong. The agreement – the first in a series of such agreements – is expected to be worth an estimated $35 million over five years. “We welcome Whistler as the first signatory under the Resort Municipality Revenue Sharing Program, and look forward to this being the start of a mutually beneficial long-term partnership,” said Chong. “Vibrant, sustainable resort-based communities across B.C. – whether small or large – provide tourism and economic development opportunities.”

Under the revenue sharing program, Whistler will invest in a range of programs and projects, including enhancing the village host and visitor information programs, holding cultural celebrations, adding to the trails network, and building employee housing and infrastructure. These investments are guided by the strategic priorities of Whistler2020, ensuring social and environmental sustainability, and a healthy economy. “We are very pleased to be the first among the BC Resort Collaborative to sign this agreement,” said Whistler Mayor Ken Melamed. “The revenue sharing program is a valuable tool that will provide a long-term, stable resource for tourism development. It will enable Whistler to capitalize on a range of tourism opportunities as they emerge and provides us with the flexibility we need to remain competitive in an ever-changing global marketplace.”

In total, an estimated $10 million annually in provincial hotel room tax will be transferred to participating municipalities through the Resort Municipality Revenue Sharing Program for local projects that can include such things as street or park improvements, festivals or amenities to increase all-season resort opportunities. To be eligible, municipalities must have tourism economies or be designated as a “mountain resort municipality” under the Local Government Act. Communities must be prepared to put in place an additional two per cent hotel room tax, and enter into a five-year results-based tourism developmentagreement that sets out what will be achieved through revenue sharing.

Twelve other municipalities are currently eligible to enter into agreements. They are: Fernie, Golden, Harrison Hot Springs, Invermere, Kimberley, Osoyoos, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, Rossland, Tofino, Ucluelet and Valemount.

Man charged after fatal Whistler shooting

CBC.CA

A man is in police custody and scheduled to appear in North Vancouver provincial court on Monday following a fatal shooting in Whistler, B.C. — the ski resort's first homicide in 30 years. Michael George Boutros, a 26-year-old Coquitlam man, was shot and killed early Saturday during an altercation between two groups of young males at Whistler Village Square, police said. "One of the males … decided to elevate the level of violence by using a gun, shot one of the other males and fled on foot," said RCMP Cpl. Dale Carr. The suspect was caught by a police officer and patrol dog after a short chase, he said. The shooting took place in plain view of an RCMP officer and his dog as the town's nightclubs were closing and patrons gathered in Whistler Village Square, police said. A 27-year-old Surrey man has been charged with second-degree murder, but police say they won't release his name until he is in court Monday.