(VICTORIA) Earlier today, Kevin Falcon’s BC Liberals voted against more than $18 million that Premier David Eby and the BC NDP provided to the communities of Boundary-Similkameen through the Growing Communities Fund.

“Communities generally know best how to invest in local projects that help people the most, and in the current global context, people and their communities need a little more support than normal,” said Roly Russell, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen. “Rural communities need smart investments in public and private infrastructure to unlock more of their potential for social and economic vibrancy, and so of course I’m disappointed that Falcon and the BC Liberals turned their back on them they had an opportunity like this to support.”

While the BC NDP government is using BC’s fiscal surplus to support people across B.C., Falcon told Global News that he opposes this investment:

“Instead of using some of that to responsibly pay down debt or deal with other things, what did the NDP do with the surplus they had last year, a one-time surplus? They are trying to spend all of it,” said Falcon.

Last week, the Premier announced that all 188 local governments will share $1 billion in funding for the construction of infrastructure that is needed to support the rapid growth of our communities. Communities in Boundary-Similkameen, including Oliver, Osoyoos, Grand Forks, and more, will share is $18.475 million.