Victoria, BC– Every year the Capital Regional District (CRD) administers grants and funding for local projects ranging from local infrastructure, special community projects, and support for arts and culture in the Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island, and Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Areas.
In 2024, the CRD distributed $2.2 million of funding to 25 projects in these three Electoral Areas through the Government of Canada’s Community-Building Fund.
“People in British Columbia deserve the best for their communities.” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “That’s why we work together with the federal government and the Union of B.C. Municipalities to support local governments with infrastructure funding that strengthens, and works, in each unique community.”
The Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) provides annual funding to the CRD to support local infrastructure and capacity-building projects. Some examples of projects which received funding last year include:
- the Thuthiqut Hulelum’ (Galiano Green) housing project;
- upgrades the Schooner Way School Trail on Pender Island;
- a variety of upgrades to the Rainbow Road Recreation Centre on Salt Spring Island; and
- the Port Renfrew Official Community Plan Update Project.
The CRD reviews applications from CRD services and third parties throughout the year. Applications are subject to meeting the program’s eligibility criteria, availability of funds, and receiving Electoral Area Director support. The CCFB is administered in British Columbia by the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
Additionally, the CRD awarded over $164,000 through Electoral Areas Grants-in-Aid to 40 projects for initiatives benefitting local communities.
“The Capital Regional District's Electoral Areas benefit immensely from the CCBF and Grants-in-Aid. These funds allow us to promote local initiatives that elevate the quality of life for our residents,” stated Paul Brent, Electoral Area Director for the Southern Gulf Islands and Chair of the Electoral Areas Committee. “We are grateful for this financial support and eagerly anticipate the positive impact these projects will have on our communities.”
Grants-in-Aid are one-time grants to fund special projects and activities, awarded to community non-profit organizations operating within Electoral Areas that are not already funded by requisition.
The CRD also administers the Arts & Culture Support Service grants in area’s participating in that service, including the Southern Gulf Islands (SGI). In 2024, eight applications in the Electoral Area were funded through grants to produce arts activities, a total investment of $63,500.
An overview of the projects funded through the Community Works Funds, the Grants-in-Aid and the Arts & Culture Support Service grants in the SGI Electoral Area in 2024 can be found below:
- 2024 Community Works Fund Annual Report [PDF/159KB] (PDF)
- 2024 Electoral Areas Grants-in-Aid Annual Report [PDF/95KB] (PDF)
- 2024 Arts & Culture Support Service Grants Awarded in the SGI Electoral Area [PDF/85KB] (PDF)
For more information on federal infrastructure funding, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca.
The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and government partners to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.ca.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Monique Booth, Communication Services Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3165
Cell: 250.516.1703
