PORT ALBERNI – New Democrat MLA Josie Osborne says new funding from the BC NDP government will help local governments create active transportation development plans and encourage more people to cycle, walk, skateboard, and use other forms of active transportation.

“Getting around town on foot, bike, board, or scooter is fun, and good for people and the environment,” said Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. “By supporting Port Alberni and Cumberland’s work on strong active transportation planning, we can make it that much easier for everyone to make smarter, safer transportation choices.”

The Village of Cumberland will be receiving $18,790 for its Transportation Master Plan – Active Transportation Foundations, and the City of Port Alberni will receive $19,654 for the Official Community Plan Update: Active Transportation Strategy.

This funding is part of $600,000 that will be available from 2020-2022. These grants are awarded to local governments and administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).

MLA Osborne says this initiative is part of Move. Commute, Connect., B.C.’s Active Transportation Strategy, a plan to make walking, cycling and other forms of active transportation as safe and convenient as possible. By facilitating more clean and sustainable methods of getting around, New Democrats are supporting a healthier, more resilient natural environment.

Move. Commute. Connect. is part of the New Democrat government’s CleanBC plan to put B.C. on a path to a low-carbon economy that creates opportunities for all while protecting our clean air, land and water.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TRAN0115-001508

Learn more about the Active Transportation Planning Grant: https://www.ubcm.ca/EN/main/funding/lgps/active-transportation.html

Learn more about B.C.’s strategy for more active transportation: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/active