Five-year funding agreement announced and money allocated
On February 22, 2024, during the provincial budget announcement, the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA) was awarded $250 million over five years (2024 - 2029). On July 12, 2024, the government announced the amounts that would be allocated to each of the 21 communities.
Terrace received just under $35 million ($34,445,927) the largest amount of all 21 communities.
This funding will support planning and construction of infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer and other community facilities needed to create liveable communities.
“Securing a commitment to the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance has been the primary priority of my term as Mayor of Terrace. I am so proud to have been part of the team who signed this game-changing deal. It will go a long way toward making our communities in the northwest more liveable. Thank you to Premier David Eby and the Provincial Government for recognizing us in the Northwest,” Mayor Bujtas acknowledged.
What is the RBA?
The Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA) is an association of 21 local governments across the Northwest from Masset to Vanderhoof. Formed in 2014, the RBA includes all member municipalities and electoral areas of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, and the North Coast Regional District.
The RBA was formed to seek a sustainable funding agreement with the province that ensures more of the revenue generated from the northwest, remains in the region. For many years, billions of dollars have been spent on major capital projects in the region, including pipelines, transmission lines, mines, clean energy projects, port expansions, LNG plant site preparation and an aluminum smelter replacement just to name a few. At the same time, the provincial government has earned at least $500 million in incremental revenue associated with these projects. For a long time, none of this revenue came back to the communities.
For more information visit the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance website.