Subjects: LEG, POL

Every New Brunswick community to benefit from federal Gas Tax Fund transfer - First of two installments delivered to support local infrastructure priorities

FREDERICTON, July 31, 2017 /CNW/ - Modern and up-to-date community infrastructure helps connect people to jobs and provides access to better community services, attracts new businesses and creates economic growth.

This month, the Government of Canada delivered the first of two annual $22 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to New Brunswick. In total, the province will be provided with over $45 million this year through the fund. From that, over $35.8 million will be distributed to local governments on a per capita basis while the rest will be allocated in unincorporated areas. The funding, which flows through the provincial government, is now available to support community infrastructure projects.

Based on previous years, the GTF supports approximately 85 local infrastructure projects across New Brunswick each year.

Projects being funded this year include a new community centre in the Rural Community of Hanwell, important road repair work in the Village of Memramcook and a new drinking water reservoir in the City of Edmundston. The range of planned projects demonstrates the flexibility the GTF provides.

The two Gas Tax Fund installments for this year are in addition to funds flowing to New Brunswick under the Investing in Canada plan.

Quotes

"Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, communities across New Brunswick and the rest of Canada can direct federal funding to the infrastructure projects that address the most pressing needs of local residents and businesses, from improving drinking water to building new recreational facilities. The Government of Canada is proud to deliver this predictable, long-term funding to help ensure access to good middle class jobs, increased mobility, greater economic opportunities, sustainable communities and a high quality of life for all Canadians."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The Gas Tax Fund in an important funding mechanism that helps our government support local infrastructure needs and ensures communities can advance their own priorities. These investments also create jobs, and help our government address overarching challenges such as mitigating the effects of climate change, ensuring clean water and wastewater, and creating sustainable communities that are well positioned for economic growth."

The Honourable Serge Rousselle, New Brunswick Minister of Environment and Local Government

Quick facts

• Since the program was first introduced in 2005, over $473 million has been provided to New Brunswick communities through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
• The federal Gas Tax Fund makes over $2 billion available each year, and through it provides each community across Canada with a permanent, predictable and indexed source of long-term funding. The funding is made available in two annual installments, one in July and one by the end of March.
• The federal Gas Tax Fund offers significant flexibility. Local communities can make strategic investments across 18 different project categories, including roads and bridges, public transit, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and recreational facilities. Communities can use the funds immediately for priority projects, bank the funds for later use, pool the dollars with other communities for shared infrastructure projects or use it to finance major infrastructure expenditures.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

Related products

Federal Gas Tax allocations for New Brunswick communities in 2017-18

This month, the Government of Canada delivered the first of two annual $22 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to New Brunswick. In total, the province will be provided with over $45 million this year through the fund. From that, over $35.8 million will be distributed to local governments on a per capita basis while the rest will be allocated in unincorporated areas. The funding, which flows through the provincial government, is now available to support community infrastructure projects.

The following table indicates this year's federal Gas Tax Fund allocation for New Brunswick and its breakdown by community.

 

 

More information on the federal Gas Tax Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html

More information on the federal Gas Tax Fund in New Brunswick: http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/elg/local_government/content/financial_support/content/gas_tax_fund.html

Associated links

More on the federal Gas Tax Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html

More on the federal Gas Tax Fund in New Brunswick: http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/elg/local_government/content/financial_support/content/gas_tax_fund.html

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $180 billion infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

 

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

News published on 31 july 2017 at 09:00 and distributed by: