Local Government Grants

The Ministry of Community and Rural Development provides funding to local governments in a number of different ways. Below is a brief outline of the ministry's annual grant programs for local government.
 

For more detailed information on provincial funding for local governments please consult the Local Government Grants Act and regulations. Hard copies of these publications may be obtained by contacting Crown Publications at (250) 386-4636. A list of all grants available to local governments can be obtained from CivicInfo BC.
 

Community & Regional District Grant Programs

News Release on 2006 Announcement
 

Strategic Community Investment Funds
The Strategic Community Investment Fund is a restructuring of provincial grants providing $232 million over two years to BC Communities. This two-year funding commitment supports local efforts to stimulate the economy and provides local governments with increased financial certainty in economically uncertain times. The fund consists of the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing program as well as Small Community and Regional District Grants.
 

Small Community Grant
This is an unconditional grant to municipalities to assist them to provide basic services. Grant amounts are based on a formula that factors in a base amount, population and assessment values. These grants generally apply to municipalities with populations up to 19,000.
 

Regional District Basic Grant
This is an unconditional grant to regional districts to assist with administration costs. The scale of grant is based on regional district population in 50,000 resident increments; beginning at $120,000 for regional districts with up to 50,000 residents, and phasing out at 250,000 residents. Each regional district receives an additional $5,000 for each local community commission in the regional district.
 

Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing
This is an unconditional grant to assist municipalities address public safety issues. The net provincial revenue from traffic fines are distributed to municipalities based on actual police costs, as published by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
 

In 2006, local governments were asked to provide reports as to how traffic fine revenue sharing monies are being used to address policing, crime prevention and community safety issues.
 

View Reports
 

For more information on unconditional grants, please consult the Local Government Grants Act.