441-02241 (Culture and heritage)

WHEREAS

• In April 2022, the Government of Canada announced it would be contributing $454,112 and the Province of British Columbia would be providing $9,545,888 towards a new regional aquatic centre in the District of Kent;
• In the months since this announcement, inflation and supply chain challenges have increased the cost of construction by approximately 30 per cent and the District is in need of additional funding;
• The Government of Canada has been open to funding flexibility when it comes to projects in rural communities and in support of reconciliation;
• Indigenous families living on-reserve in the areas surrounding Kent District utilize many services in the community and would be well served by this aquatic centre; and
• The District of Kent received written support for the project from surrounding communities, including the Seabird Island, Cheam, Stó:lo, Sts'ailes, Sq'éwlets, Skawahlook, Popkum and Peters First Nations, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs and the Fraser Valley Regional District Electoral Areas 'C' and 'D'.

THEREFORE

We, the undersigned residents of the District of Kent, Harrison Hot Springs, the Seabird Island, Cheam, Stó:lo, Sts'ailes, Sq'éwlets, Skawahlook, Popkum and Peters First Nations and the Fraser Valley Regional District Electoral Areas 'C' and 'D', call upon the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities to provide additional funding to support the construction of the Lets'emot Regional Aquatic Centre.