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James brings fund plan to city |
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Written by GORDON HOEKSTRA
Citizen staff
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Monday, 01 December 2008 |
NDP leader Carole James was in Prince George Monday promoting her plan to invest a portion of the province's revenues each year in a rural economic development fund.
James was also seeking input, talking to Mayor-elect Dan Rogers, UNBC faculty, a northern B.C. lobby group, the Stand up for the North Committee and holding a public meeting at the College of New Caledonia.
"Unlike (Premier) Gordon Campbell, I actually believe in talking to people who live in the communities on how to administer the fund," said James.
Added James: "If there's one thing I hear over and over again, is rural British Columbians provide the resources for all of B.C. -- and while they don't expect all of that money back -- they don't expect government to make things more difficult for them when those resources are shared."
The B.C. Liberals say northern B.C. already has an economic development fund that is working well.
James first raised the rural fund idea in September at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention. She said at the time she would be getting input from rural British Columbians on how they would like the fund to be set up. She is also holding meetings in Kamloops and Cranbrook this week, and will hold more meetings in rural B.C. in the new year.
James plans to make the rural fund part of her platform for the May 2009 election.
She highlighted a number of models including the Alberta Heritage Fund and the Columbia Basin Trust. James also included the Northern Development Initiative Trust in northern B.C., although a key problem with that trust is that relies on one-time funding and not an annual revenue stream, she says.
James cited several other concerns with the Northern Trust, including how long it's taking to get resources out the door, and whether everybody has access to those funds. She has said there needs to be First Nations involvement in the rural fund her party is proposing. James also said it's important to ensure the Trust focuses on regional development. "That's the real strength that's needed -- how can we look at diversifying to keep our industry going into the next century," she said.
The Northern Trust has been contributing money to projects like the $33-million Prince George Airport runway expansion, and James agreed that fits the parameters of regional development.
The Northern Trust was funded with two installment from the province totalling $185 million, and is managed by a 13-member board that includes municipal leaders, regional representatives drawn from the business community and one First Nations representative.
The Trust's board has approved more than $42 million in funding, which has been leveraged with other funding and investment to support projects totalling $252 million. Funding for projects in 2008, include nearly half a million to upgrade the Vanderhoof airport and $1.15 million for a geological high-level survey.
Prince George North MLA Pat Bell says the trust has been working extremely well, noting that there is still $165 million in the fund because the fund has invested wisely.
"The whole point of establishing the trust was to put money in the hands of local decision-makers, to make smart investments to help stabilize and grow the economy throughout the region," said Bell, the forests minister. "I think $185 million is a huge commitment for any government. So, it would be nice for the Opposition to recognize the fact that we have actually put in place something that is working very well."
Mayor-elect Dan Rogers said he didn't get into any details on James' rural economic development fund idea. He said instead the main topic of discussion with James was getting support from other levels of government for basic infrastructure.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 01 December 2008 )
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