Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison said he’s advocating for Cranbrook to get funds for the Gold Creek dam.
“I’ve asked for the federal budget to help us with that dam,” he said.
“I sent in an application saying how much money we’re putting in locally, here’s how much the province will put in and can the federal government help us with that type of infrastructure.”
The city has already invested over $1 million in planning and design for the dam reconstruction, but the total project cost is going to be around $14 million.
MORE: City of Cranbrook pleading for some dam funding (April 11, 2024)
Morrison said there hasn’t been much luck yet.
“I’m hoping that they will. So far very limited help from the federal government.”
If the city does not receive grant funding, the project will have to be funded through borrowing.
He said the government is spending a lot of money every year, but the East Kootenay tends to get ignored.
“It’s just like my electric train issue that I tried to get off the ground to help with our carbon output and I have had no support from the federal government,” Morrison added.
Morrison has been trying to bring an electric passenger train to be a safer mode of transportation in the winter but also to stimulate the economy.
“I’m hoping this year they will give us enough money to look at a detailed business case on supporting an electric train from the Cranbrook area to the west.”
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