Federal funding just keep coming in South Delta.
One day after she made several announcements, including $500,000 toward the rehabilitation of the century-old home of the Delta Museum, Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay was at the Tsawwassen First Nation Friday to announce even more grants for infrastructure projects at the TFN and the Corporation of Delta.
Joined by TFN Chief Bryce Williams, Mayor Lois Jackson, Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton and Metro Vancouver board chair Greg Moore, Findlay, the minister of national revenue, announced millions for infrastructure projects for both communities.
The biggest one will be a significant upgrade to a regional watermain in order to service the TFN within Metro Vancouver. The federal and provincial governments will contribute $3.7 million each while the Greater Vancouver Water District has already committed around $4.6 million. The TFN will pick up the remainder of the cost, estimated to be around $17.6 million.
"We are proud to invest in the expansion of the drinking water services for Tsawwassen First Nation as the newest member of the Greater Vancouver Water District," Findlay said.
The second funding announcement is a storm water management upgrade in Delta involving expanding and upgrading the operating capacity of the 12th Avenue storm water pump station, including raising the existing dike height to protect the facility from rising sea levels.
That project is estimated to cost $8.1 million with both the feds and province pitching in $2.7 million each and Delta paying the remainder.
The third big announcement saw the federal government commit $1.7 million to help pay for the construction of a drainage pump station at the TFN's industrial park. The total cost of that project is around $3.8 million. The TFN will pay the remainder.
Findlay also provided more details of an announcement made a couple of days earlier which will see the feds give Port Metro Vancouver $6 million to help construct a paved truck staging area at the junction of Highway 17A and Deltaport Way, a project that has a total estimated price tag of $18.3 million. Findlay noted the safe and efficient movement of trucks would directly benefit Delta residents as well the port.
Findlay said her government wants to work with the province to approve projects, under the New Building Canada Fund, to ensure important infrastructure work is completed.
Noting the TFN is the first First Nation in the province to be a member of a regional district, Moore said the economic growth of the TFN simply couldn't happen without a fresh water supply.
Saying the TFN appreciates the strong partnership of the provincial and federal governments, Williams added their dreams of growth, becoming a new retail and industrial hub in the Lower Mainland, couldn't be realized without the infrastructure.
Saying she's never seen so many millions granted, Jackson also acknowledged the federal and provincial contributions, noting a major challenge for municipalities is their aging infrastructure. She said the key is to have all levels of government work in partnership to fund the important upgrades.
Hamilton said lobbying has paid off to get funding for infrastructure. He also quipped during the presentations that he could understand why Williams was a few minutes late for Friday's announcement due to getting stuck in George Massey Tunnel traffic. He remarked the province can assure it has a plan to alleviate that and he will be talking with Findlay "in short order" about it, referring to the proposed bridge.
