Subjects: LEG, POL

Northwest Territories' communities to benefit from federal Gas Tax Fund transfer - First of two installments delivered to support local infrastructure priorities

YELLOWKNIFE, Aug. 8, 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.

In July, the Government of Canada delivered the first of two annual $7.8 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to the Northwest Territories. In total, over $15.7 million will be provided this year through the fund. The funding, which flows through the territorial government, is now available to support community infrastructure projects. 

Based on previous years, GTF funding supports approximately 41 local infrastructure projects across the Northwest Territories each year.

Examples of how this year's GTF allocation will be used include upgrades to the solid waste site in Enterprise and water treatment plant in Fort Smith, as well as to the soccer and baseball field in Fort McPherson. In addition, GTF funding will help protect the community of Kakisa from wildfires through a three-year disaster mitigation project. The range of planned projects helps demonstrate the flexibility that the GTF provides.

The two GTF installments for this year are in addition to funds going to the Northwest Territories under the Investing in Canada plan.

Quotes

"Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, communities across the Northwest Territories 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 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 federal Gas Tax Fund continues to contribute millions of dollars through infrastructure investments each year, in every community across the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Government of the Northwest Territories appreciates the continued partnership with the Government of Canada to work with NWT community governments to support the delivery of modern and efficient community infrastructure to support the delivery of services to the residents of the territory."

The Honourable Caroline Cochrane,
Northwest Territories Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

Quick facts

• Since the program was first introduced in 2005, over $159 million has been provided to the Northwest Territories' 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, in July and November.
• 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 the Northwest Territories' communities in 2017-18

Last month, the Government of Canada delivered the first of two annual $7.8 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to the Northwest Territories. In total, the territory will be provided with over $15.7 million this year through the fund. The funding, which flows through the territorial government to all of its communities on a per capita basis, is now available to support community infrastructure projects.

The following table indicates this year's federal Gas Tax Fund allocation for communities in the Northwest Territories.

 

 

For more information on the Gas Tax Fund, please visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html

Associated links

Federal infrastructure investments in the Northwest Territories

The federal Gas Tax Fund

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's new $180 billion infrastructure plan

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

 

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

News published on 8 august 2017 at 10:30 and distributed by: