Infrastructure $$ keep pouring in

Ian Austin, The Province, October 15, 2009
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International Trade Minister Stockwell Day (left) and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell at photo-op in Vancouver Wednesday. Photograph by: Wayne Leidenfrost, The Province

It is better -- or at least cheaper -- to repair than rebuild, so the federal and provincial governments on Wednesday announced a $177-million plan to renovate or retrofit 101 B.C. social-housing complexes.

Premier Gordon Campbell and federal International Trade Minister Stockwell Day shared the stage at Steeves Manor near Vancouver's Jericho Park -- where workers were busy hammering away on an energy retrofit for the complex's 196 units -- to announce the jointly funded projects. "The tenants are the beneficiaries of today's announcement," said Karen Stone of the B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association, who with B.C. Housing Minister Rich Coleman also attended the photo-op.

"This is a positive. We have stock that is aging, and replacement will cost a lot more if we don't repair it now."

The announcement -- yet another in a truckload of infrastructure announcements as part of the federal government's "economic action plan" -- comes as Ottawa simultaneously prepares for a looming election and tries to spur the economic recovery by creating jobs in the construction sector.

"These renovation and retrofit projects will improve the quality of life for residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable," said Day.

"It is also a good way to get the local economy moving, because it puts construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly."

Day, who's also MP for Okanagan-Coquihalla, joked about the amount of federal government money being dropped in B.C. recently -- federal ministers and the prime minister have been unloading cheques in our time zone at a surprising rate.

"OK, are all the cameras off?" joked Day.

"We do get more than our fair share."

"OK, you can turn the cameras back on," he then said.

For decades, British Columbians have complained that governments in Ottawa seem to think Canada ends at the Rockies, with no money left for B.C.

But, with the Conservatives eyeing the ultimate prize -- a majority government and the power to enact any laws -- federal money is highly available for suddenly crucial B.C. voters.

And voters across the province have another incentive to vote Conservative, since Wednesday's announcement provides funding to 31 different B.C. communities, from Fort St. John to Port Alberni to Castlegar.