September 15, 2009
Tri-Cities Receive Nearly $1.7 Million from Provincial Government

COQUITLAM – The provincial government is providing close to $1.7 million in support of public safety initiatives and local government operations in the Tri-Cities.

“The Tri-Cities have benefitted greatly since we began returning all traffic fine revenues five years ago,” says Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Iain Black. “By returning 100 per cent of net traffic fine revenue, the Province is supporting the Tri-Cities, which have seen millions of additional dollars in increased funding for public safety since we made this change in 2004.

“I’m also pleased to see that Anmore and Belcarra continue to benefit from small community grants, which provide these municipalities with crucial resources for their priorities.”

A total of $1,654,854 is being distributed to the following municipalities:

• Coquitlam – $742,784 in Traffic Fine Revenues
• Port Coquitlam – $370,436 in Traffic Fine Revenues
• Port Moody – $265,665 in Traffic Fine Revenues
• Anmore – $154,839  Small Community Grant
• Belcarra – $121,130 Small Community Grant

“This government has returned all traffic fine revenues since 2004, because local communities are best able to allocate resources to improve public safety,” says Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Douglas Horne. “I know that these funds will continue to be put to great use.”

The Strategic Community Investment Fund is a two-year, $232-million initiative consisting of the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program and Small Community and Regional District Grants. Communities received a first payment in Spring 2009 and will receive a third payment in early 2010.

Through the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program, the province has provided 100 per cent of net traffic fine revenues to local government since 2004.  Traffic fine revenue comes from fines on violation tickets, with a municipality receiving an amount based on its contribution to total municipal policing costs.  The Small Community and Regional District Grant allocation is calculated based on population and assessment.

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