The City of Prince George delayed nearly 26-million dollars worth of constuction due to the pandemic last year.
That’s according to councillor Garth Frizzell, however, he is hopeful a proposed 2.2 billion dollar top-up to the federal Gas Tax Fund could restart some of those projects.
Frizzell, who is also the president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities says any extra money the city receives would have many benefits.
“We are coming into the construction season and to have this opportunity in front of us is really important. An additional 3.1 million to make our cut six million will help in not just getting the infrastructure built but what that means directly is jobs in the community.”
“We put in a submission (the FCM) suggesting that the Gas Tax Fund be doubled for three years and what this does is double that for one year. What that means is that another 2.2 billion dollars that gets directly sent to municipalities at a time where we absolutely need it.”
A proposed 7-billion dollar cash injection was tabled in the House Commons last week by Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.
If passed, this would provide a one-time four billion dollar increase to the Canada Health Transfer along with one billion to fund COVID-19 immunization campaigns across Canada.
In addition, the federal budget is slated to be released on April 19th with the BC budget being unveiled a mere 24 hours later (April 20).
As for what he wants to see from the provincial statement, Frizzell is still pounding the drum for more reliable internet connectivity in Northern BC.
“We need to get high-speed internet access out and if this pandemic has shown us one thing it’s that we are relying more and more on that for education, health care, and business. When you applied for your vote in the last provincial election you went to a website to order it and get it sent to your home.”