Premier promotes community grant funding

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This article was published 21/04/2022 (1293 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The province is doubling funding for the Building Sustainable Communities program to $25 million in this year’s budget.

Funding for the program, which helps non-profits and municipal governments improve and build new community spaces through grants, is increasing from $12.3 million in 2021 to $25 million in 2022.

Nine days after the provincial government unveiled its 2022 budget, Premier Heather Stefanson and Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke took the stage at the Brandon Curling Club to open the second day of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities spring convention and highlighted program improvements.

Last year’s budget included an initial $10.3 million in funding for the program, which was raised to the final $12.3 million final figure over the course of the fiscal year.

After running down the key figures and goals of the budget, the premier told the crowd her government had heard from Manitobans that they want stronger, vibrant communities in which to raise their families.

The increase in funding, she said, will support more local projects in Manitoba communities.

“From new playgrounds to swimming pools and community club upgrades, this $25-million fund will help ensure our local community can grow and thrive as we emerge from this pandemic together,” she said. “I’m confident this investment will improve the quality of life for Manitobans and communities and regions across this incredible province of ours.”

Under the program, qualifying groups can access 50 per cent of project costs to a maximum of $75,000 for improvements or replacements to planning, improving organizational capacity, building projects, community and regional initiatives and capital infrastructure.

Last year, it was expanded to include large-scale capital projects, for which 50 per cent of costs can be covered up to a maximum of $300,000.

According to the province, applications for this year’s program closed on Jan. 17. More than 600 submissions are currently being reviewed.

Speaking after the premier, Clarke said this program, which started in 2019, is more efficient than the seven siloed programs it replaced.

AMM president Kam Blight applauded the announcement, saying the program will promote greater economic development after the financial challenges municipalities experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said later during a “fireside chat” session with Clarke there is also a pressing need for improved yearly basket funding for municipalities as not all municipalities can benefit from an application-based program.

Annual funding for municipalities has been frozen since 2016.

Asked why her government decided to double funding, Stefanson told the Sun it has been a “very successful” program that was oversubscribed and needed more money.

While intake has already been completed for this year’s program, the premier said the extra funds would be available for the next round and the increase in funding would carry over to future years.

Another provincial representative at the event was Concordia MLA and Manitoba NDP municipal relations critic Matt Wiebe.

“What we’ve heard from municipalities all convention here is their concern over core basket operating funding and the fact that this is now the seventh budget in a row that has frozen that funding at 2016 levels,” Wiebe said. “Municipalities are delivering 2022 services with 2016 dollars … it sets them back and it sets them at a disadvantage to their ratepayers.”

On Wednesday, the province announced its new initiative to improve K-12 education after the unpopular Bill 64 was unceremoniously dumped by the governing Tories last September.

Stefanson said Thursday the new approach eliminates the controversial elements of Bill 64 — like the abolition of English-language school boards — but will move forward with curriculum changes she believes parents want.

As for how education will be funded long-term in Manitoba as the Progressive Conservatives slowly phase out the education property tax, the premier said changes to funding will be developed simultaneously with structural changes to the system.

After Thursday, Brandonites won’t have to wait long for the premier’s next appearance in town. Stefanson will deliver a state of the province address to the Brandon Chamber of Commerce on April 28 at the Keystone Centre’s UCT Pavilion.

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