July 23, 2010
Funding for PG and Mackenzie Improves Public Safety

PRINCE GEORGE – Residents in Prince George and Mackenzie will benefit from a total of $677,920 in provincial funding that will be put toward public safety initiatives and important municipal services. The funding is part of a $38.6 million instalment from the Strategic Community Investment Fund.

“Thanks to this funding, Prince George has the opportunity to add new police vehicles, support downtown enforcement and increase crime prevention,” says Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond. “We want to ensure our communities are safe for all our residents and investments like this helps create safer, more liveable cities.”

“Whether it’s building local infrastructure or simply planning for the future, these communities know exactly how to put these funds to work to get the maximum benefit for residents,” says Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell.

The following is a summary of funds provided:

·      Prince George                     --                      $506,602                     $506,602
·      Mackenzie                          $147,092           $24,225                       $171,318

The Strategic Community Investment Fund is a restructuring of provincial grants, consisting of the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing program and Small Community and Regional District Grants. This payment of $38.6 million to B.C.’s communities is the third instalment of a total $227 million provided to local governments since 2009; a first instalment of $133 million was paid to communities in March 2009 and a second instalment of $55.5 million was paid in September 2009.

Since 2001, the Province has given communities $413 million in traffic fine revenues and $363 million in Small Community and Regional District Grants.

To learn more about Shirley’s work in Prince George-Valemount, visit www.shirleybondmla.bc.ca or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/shirleybond.

To learn more about Pat’s work in Prince George-Mackenzie, visit www.patbellmla.bc.ca.

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