Some Kelowna infrastructure grants could be in limbo after Liberal election win

KELOWNA – Despite election promises about investment in infrastructure, the advent of a new Liberal government will likely delay some Kelowna projects already in the works.

“We do have various applications out there, but with the election, it’s been very quiet,” infrastructure director Alan Newcombe says.

While he expects the Liberal government will honour applications made to the Canada 150 fund, created by the Conservatives last spring, he admits there is no guarantee.

“This is speculation but the presumption is (the applications) would continue on with the new government,” Newcombe says.

Kelowna city council approved in June a fast-track application to the Canada 150 fund for $500,000 for the upgrade of a portion of the lakeside promenade in City Park.

He could not provide the value of outstanding grant applications, but adds the city has also applied to other infrastructure funds such as Build Canada for projects which are further along in the process.

“There has already been a delay during the extended election period,” Newcombe says. "During the transition period (to the new government), there could be another delay, particularly if new MPs want to look through the broad basket of applications from across the country.”

Newcombe says he doubts the Liberals will play favourites with grant applications based on who holds the riding, a sentiment echoed by incoming MP Steven Fuhr, who has vowed to work with all regional MPs regardless of political stripe.

“We are all one big happy family here, as far as I’m concerned,” says Fuhr. “I’m happy to work with Dan Albas (MP for Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola) to make sure both ridings get what they need. I don’t see this as an issue at all.”

Fuhr says he has not had a chance to look at regional infrastructure grant requests already in the works, but says it’s high on the list once the transition from Conservative to Liberal government has taken place.

To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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John McDonald

John began life as a journalist through the Other Press, the independent student newspaper for Douglas College in New Westminster. The fluid nature of student journalism meant he was soon running the place, learning on the fly how to publish a newspaper.

It wasn’t until he moved to Kelowna he broke into the mainstream media, working for Okanagan Sunday, then the Kelowna Daily Courier and Okanagan Saturday doing news graphics and page layout. He carried on with the Kelowna Capital News, covering health and education while also working on special projects, including the design and launch of a mass market daily newspaper. After 12 years there, John rejoined the Kelowna Daily Courier as editor of the Westside Weekly, directing news coverage as the Westside became West Kelowna.

But digital media beckoned and John joined Kelowna.com as assistant editor and reporter, riding the start-up as it at first soared then went down in flames. Now John is turning dirt as city hall reporter for iNFOnews.ca where he brings his long experience to bear on the civic issues of the day.

If you have a story you think people should know about, email John at jmcdonald@infonews.ca

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