All four local governments on the Sunshine Coast are about to receive a double dose of federal gas tax revenue and will receive it faster than previously scheduled, announced John Weston member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country this week.
Weston held press conferences in Gibsons and Sechelt April 7 to deliver the message and a novelty cheque to members of Gibsons council, District of Sechelt council, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) and the Sechelt Indian Government District (SIGD).
With the transfer, Gibsons will receive $219,188, Sechelt will receive $391,515, the SCRD will receive $619,065 and the SIGD will receive $84,844. Gas tax revenues, unlike most other federal government transfers do not have conditions on the way they must be spent for the local governments to receive them.
"What I think is really good about this is not only that more money is coming to the hands of local government to attend to local priorities roads, sewers, whatever you decide, this will also help going forward with stable budgeting for local government because this change is enforced right through 2014. This isn't just a one-off deal," Weston said.
He said the move to boost gas tax revenues to local governments is a response to the economic recession. He acknowledged the loss of jobs at Howe Sound Pulp and Paper and said the funds could be used to help build infrastructure and create jobs.
Sechelt Mayor Darren Inkster said he would have to discuss the funds with his council, but there were a host of projects the funds could be used for including downtown revitalization, increased park development, wastewater treatment or replacing the day float on the waterfront, which burnt down in the '70s.
"We don't have it earmarked for anything. It will mostly go into a reserve fund and council will discuss whether they want to use it now or use it in the future because it's money we may need in the future because of difficult economic times," he said. "We've talked about it and I think our council will want to be moving on projects such as marine gateway."
Lorne Lewis, SCRD director for Area E - Elphinstone, said the money was greatly appreciated and could be used for a number of infrastructure projects including bike paths, trails, parks, drainage and shoreline remediation.
"We're jubilant to see the funds and we have no shortage of projects to put them towards," he said.
Ian Poole, director of finance for the Town of Gibsons, said the money was expected and is already allocated to the Town's water projects, but the doubled size and three-month earlier than expected deliver was much appreciated.
