Communities throughout northern British Columbia receive funding to revitalize public spaces and enhance tourism experiences
News release
Government of Canada making investments across British Columbia to refresh community spaces, attract new visitors, and stimulate local economies
August 23, 2022 – Prince Rupert, British Columbia – Pacific Economic Development Canada
Safe and inclusive public spaces and robust tourism attractions are key to building vibrant communities. They bring together people of all ages and abilities, supporting businesses and boosting economic vitality. Throughout northern British Columbia, communities are ready to welcome back residents and visitors to enjoy accessible public spaces and new and improved tourism experiences.
Upgrading existing infrastructure and building new public assets will help municipalities across British Columbia provide better access to recreational programs and facilities, growing economic opportunities, creating jobs, and improving community wellness.
Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of over $2.6 million through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) for eight projects, and $297,498 through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) for three projects, located throughout northern British Columbia.
These investments will enable the upgrade of public spaces and enhancement of tourism experiences in many communities spanning from Smithers and Hazelton, from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii, and more.
The Kaien Island Trail Enhancement and Recreation Society, who hosted today’s event, are receiving $500,000 in CCRF funding.
With this funding, the Society will design and construct the Cloudberry Trail. The project will create a multi-use pathway away from busy roadways that will provide safe access for people of all abilities, as an expansion of the Kaien Island Trail network. It will also create opportunities for local businesses.
For the full list of projects announced today, please see backgrounder.
The CCRF and TRF programs both launched in the summer of 2021. The CCRF provides $500 million over two years to Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) to invest in projects that build and improve community infrastructure, making public spaces safer, greener and more accessible.
The TRF provides $500 million over two years to RDAs and Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to support tourism businesses and organizations with adapting their operations to meet public health requirements, while investing in products and services to facilitate future growth.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is supporting economic development in communities across Northern British Columbia. We are helping small- and medium-sized businesses on the road to recovery. Now it’s time to invest in the shared public spaces and tourism experiences that will bring people together and grow our communities.”
- The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
"With this funding, Kaien Trails is looking forward to building the first segment of the Cloudberry Trail, an important link to expanding access to outdoor recreation opportunities in Prince Rupert. Local societies like Kaien Trails play an integral role in helping to advocate, build and maintain amenities to make Prince Rupert a world class place to live, work and play. We are thankful for the Government of Canada’s contribution to this project, and look forward to the support from local industrial partners to see the full build-out of the Cloudberry Trail and Kaien Island trail network.”
- Sean Carlson, President, The Kaien Island Trail Enhancement and Recreation Society
Quick facts
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Canada Community Revitalization Fund
- CCRF funding supports two major streams of activity:
- adapt community spaces and assets so that they may be used safely in accordance with local public-health guidelines,
- build or improve community spaces to encourage Canadians to re-engage in and explore their communities and regions.
- Eligible recipients include not-for-profit organizations; rural, municipal or regional governments; Indigenous groups and communities; and public sector bodies that provide municipal-type infrastructure.
- Priority may be given to projects that encourage the participation of underrepresented groups and take into consideration the unique challenges of rural and remote communities.
- CCRF funding supports two major streams of activity:
-
Tourism Relief Fund
- The TRF is helping position Canada as a destination of choice as domestic and international travel rebounds by:
- empowering tourism businesses to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors
- helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors, by providing the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world
- Eligible applicants include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors, such as businesses, not-for-profit organizations, such as tourism associations, and band councils or other Indigenous organizations and cooperatives.
- The TRF is helping position Canada as a destination of choice as domestic and international travel rebounds by:
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Contacts
Haley Hodgson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Pacific Economic Development
haley.hodgson@international.gc.ca
Jillian Glover
Communications Manager
Pacific Economic Development Canada
jillian.glover@pacifican.gc.ca
Stay connected
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Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378
TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388
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