Monday May 26, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
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.
The CRD is a regional level of government.
The CRD electoral areas are part of the CRD in addition to 12 municipalities. In total this is considered as the Greater Victoria area.
$2.2 million for 25 projects:
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.
That fund is from federal support. “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.
3,700 communities across Canada:
The Canada Community-Building Fund delivers over $2.4 billion every year to over 3,700 communities across the country. Communities select how best to invest the funds, having the flexibility to make strategic investments across 19 different project categories:
- public transit
- wastewater infrastructure
- drinking water
- solid waste management
- community energy systems
- local roads and bridges
- capacity building
- highways
- local and regional airports
- short-line rail
- short-sea shipping
- resilience
- broadband and connectivity
- culture
- tourism
- sport
- recreation
Applications year-round:
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.
===== RELATED:
NEWS SECTIONS: JUAN DE FUCA AREA | SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND | GREATER VICTORIA/CRD