Infrastructure Development Contribution Agreement Program

Project Highlights

The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) is British Columbia’s only Regional Municipality and is located in the northeast corner of the province.  It serves as the economic hub for the region and the service centre for three of the largest natural gas basins in Western Canada as well as for forestry and mining development.  On April 11, 2013, NRRM and the Province of British Columbia signed the Infrastructure Development Contribution Agreement (IDCA).  Under the agreement, the Province will provide NRRM with up to $10 million for infrastructure funding each year between 2015 and 2035, or a total of up to $200 million over 20 years.  To achieve its planned capital program, NRRM has committed to matching or exceeding this funding.  Its goal is to provide the infrastructure foundation required for community vitality and economic growth.

NRRM retained KWL in 2013 to lead the implementation of its IDCA program according to the requirements set out under the Agreement.  This involves representing NRRM at a Management Committee level and the completion of a detailed financial analysis of NRRM capital requirements annually.  The program has been developed with flexibility in mind, and annual infrastructure spending is tailored to local economic conditions.  The findings from each annual financial analysis inform the preparation of reports submitted each year for funding approval by the Province, as well as NRRM’s comprehensive Asset Management System.

To date, IDCA reports for 2015 and 2016 have been completed, with the first installation of $10 million received by NRRM in 2015.  KWL has played a central role in conducting the technical analysis and reporting required under the Agreement, while also facilitating communication between NRRM and the Province.  KWL has been working with NRRM to implement its annual capital program.