Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Today, the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard; the Honourable Josie Osborne, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation; and Chris O’Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro, announced a joint investment of $32.7 million to support three decarbonization projects in British Columbia.
Water and wastewater management systems are the backbone of municipalities and First Nations communities. Investments to improve water quality and system efficiency create good local jobs, address the economic challenges brought on by the pandemic and climate-related events, and help build the infrastructure communities need to recover and thrive. Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable Josie Osborne, British Columbia’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced more than $19.2 million in joint funding for four projects in British Columbia to support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The projects will upgrade existing wastewater treatment facilities or construct new drinking water facilities to enhance water capacity, comply with provincial standards, improve surface water quality, and protect the surrounding environment.
The governments of Canada and British Columbia continue to invest in local infrastructure during this unprecedented time to meet the needs of communities across the province, enhance peoples' quality of life, and support economic recovery from COVID-19. Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Josie Osborne, British Columbia's Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced funding for 14 water , wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects in the province. Supporting communities to build modern and reliable water infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments.
