Clock is ticking on B.C. stimulus funds

VICTORIA — Municipalities across B.C. are eager to get their share of federal infrastructure funding, but are waiting for the province to ante up.

Earlier this year, the federal government made billions of dollars available to the provinces in an effort to create jobs and stimulate the economy. So far, every province except for B.C. and Nova Scotia have cashed in on the money and allocated funding for construction projects.

All projects must be near completion by March 2011.

Premier Gordon Campbell requested the federal government alter the way it handles funding projects under the stimulus package, but according to a story by the Canadian Press, Ottawa rejected the idea last week.

When the federal government announced $35 billion would be available across Canada for infrastructure projects to help stimulate the economy, it was with the requirement that provincial governments put up a matching amount, while municipalities would also help contribute to the cost of projects.

More than 400 projects have been proposed by B.C. municipalities, but with a record billion-dollar deficit, the cash-strapped province does not currently have the funds to match federal dollars and as a result puts the federal dollars in jeopardy.

After getting a rejection on their initial proposal, the B.C. government says another deal is in the works.