Local Government Grants

The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development provides funding to local governments in a number of different ways. Below is a brief outline of the ministry's annual grant programs for local government.
 

For more detailed information on provincial funding for local governments please consult the Local Government Grants Act and regulations. Hard copies of these publications may be obtained by contacting Crown Publications at (250) 386-4636. A list of all grants available to local governments can be obtained from CivicInfo BC.
 

Community & Regional District Grant Programs

News Release on 2011 Announcement
 

Strategic Community Investment Funds
The Province has temporarily extended the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) program over the next three years given the ongoing economic situation.

SCIF is a restructure of the provincial grants which has provided $151 million in funding for 2011 to support BC communities. The three year commitment supports efforts to stimulate local economies and provides local governments with increased financial certainty in economically uncertain times.

Payments will be made in four instalments; March 2011, June 2011, June 2012, and June 2013. SCIF delivers funding to local governments under the existing Small Community, Regional District, and Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing grant programs.
 

Small Community Grant
This is an unconditional grant to municipalities to assist them to provide basic services. Grant amounts are based on a formula that factors in a base amount, population and assessment values. These grants generally apply to municipalities with populations up to 19,000.
 

Regional District Basic Grant
This is an unconditional grant to regional districts to assist with administration costs. The scale of grant is based on regional district population in 50,000 resident increments; beginning at $120,000 for regional districts with up to 50,000 residents, and phasing out at 250,000 residents. Each regional district receives an additional $5,000 for each local community commission in the regional district.
 

For more information on unconditional grants, please consult the Local Government Grants Act.