New Report Examines Struggles to Fund Infrastructure Projects in the Northwest, Despite Hosting Most Major Industry Projects

With many Northwestern communities unable to afford necessary infrastructure upgrades, the Province is hoping to collaborate on a solution.

Despite being home to most of the province’s major industry projects, Northwestern communities are struggling to meet their infrastructure needs.

A joint working group formed by the Province and Northwest Resource Benefits Alliance last year to gain a better understanding of the challenges has now released its first report.

Made up of all 21 local governments from Masset to Vanderhoof, the Alliance seeks to ensure revenues made in the Northwest remain in the region.

In 2022, 74 percent of major mining, oil and gas, and wood and petrochemical manufacturing projects in BC were located within the RBA’s area.

It also contains 84 percent of proposed projects, but municipalities are relying more and more on government grants to meet community needs.

That is largely due to low property tax revenues prompted by smaller populations, and an inability to fully tap in to resource revenues.

While most communities are currently in good financial standing, many are also facing significant costs to replace their aging infrastructure.