Local communities are looking to Ottawa to provide some much-needed cash.
Regional District of North Okanagan directors have met with Mel Arnold, North Okanagan-Shuswap MP, has he prepares information to give to the federal government for the 2017 budget.
“The competition for funding will be even tighter,” said Conservative MP of infrastructure grant changes implemented by the Liberal government.
All of the North Okanagan municipalities and electoral areas are interested in assistance for infrastructure works, but there are also other areas of concern.
Among them is a need for more affordable housing.
“In B.C., we’re at a crisis,” said Juliette Cunningham, a Vernon director.
Spallumcheen recently received a letter from the RCMP suggesting that policing costs could rise because of oil pipelines being expanded in B.C.
“I’m not sure if they’re taking all of the riots in B.C. and dividing it by all of the municipalities,” said Janice Brown, the township’s director.
Rural Lumby is also planning to apply to the federal government for funds to instill a fish ladder at Wilsey Dam.
But while some of the funding requests are more long-term, others are immediate.
Kevin Acton, Lumby director, told Arnold that his community is facing a challenge to get support for this year’s Canada Day festivities.
“There’s a lot less coming from the federal government than we expected and it’s coming late,” said Acton.