Whistler has climbed the provincial governments list of municipal grants and this year will receive only the second lowest grant of all municipalities across the province.
The unconditional grant of $42,373 for Whistler announced on April 1 is slightly above the $41,971 announced for Quesnel.
However, the value of Whistlers municipal grant is climbing. Last year the municipality received $34,781, the smallest unconditional grant in the province. In 2001 Whistler received $27,124 and in 2000 Whistler was the only municipality to receive less than $10,000.
Last week Victoria announced $36.1 million in unconditional grants for municipalities and regional districts. Thats about the same amount as provided last year. The grants include $24 million for small- and medium-sized municipalities to fund basic services such as road and parks maintenance, recreational facilities and services and community planning. Another $10 million is allocated for municipalities providing police services. Regional districts received a total of $2.1 million.
Squamish received $138,056 and Pemberton $116,740, the same amounts they received last year. The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District received $120,000, about the same as most regional districts and the same as it received last year.
Vancouver received the highest grant, $2,399,873.
Unconditional grants are only one potential source of funds for municipalities from senior levels of government.