The City of Delta will receive a little over $7 million in COVID-19 funding distributed under the federal Safe Restart Agreement to B.C.’s local governments.
This federal/provincial funding ($425 million in total) will support facility reopening and operational costs along with local emergency response.
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) voiced support for federal funding from Canada and an allocation delivery approach in April of this year. This followed upon UBCM’s outreach to the provincial government on the financial impacts on local governments due to COVID-19, and the decision by the province to provide liquidity to local government through a package of amendments to the property tax framework. UBCM engaged in continuing discussions with the Province over the summer with regard to revenue streams impacted by COVID-19 as well as new expenditures that local government face as a result the pandemic.
Funding details are still being developed for additional funding through the Safe Restart Agreement. This includes additional funding for BC local governments, including $100 million to support local governments as they address the needs of vulnerable populations and $15 million to improve development approval processes.
Delta discussed the funding proposal at its council meeting Monday afternoon.
“We are very fortunate and ensure that this money is spent as the requirements state,” said Mayor George Harvie. It does provide us with some relief, but again, it is one-time money and we have to ensure it is not used as a regular stream of revenue.”
Harvie said council will be directing staff to report back to council during 2021 budget discussions as to where the funding will be earmarked.
“I have always said I’m worried about next year insofar as the difficulties that families could be facing, so I want to ensure that our community service groups can do more,” said Harvie.
Meanwhile Delta is leading the march once again in seeking from the province better COVID-19 data at the municipal level.
Harvie said he has spoken and received endorsements from mayors in Langley, White Rock and Surrey to write a letter to the provincial Ministry of Health once again asking for specific data insofar as geographic areas so all the municipalities can get a better idea on where the COVID-19 cases are.
“This way we can all put our resources, like bylaw officers into the critical hotspots in the Fraser Health Authority,” said Harvie. “Fraser Health has asked for Delta’s support to have bylaw officers and Delta police out checking food establishments and ensuring that health and safety plans are in place. This is such an important time for us. Everyone needs to do their part to ensure we get these numbers down.”
