April 3, 2009
Gas Tax Rebates to Cities, Towns and RM’s Doubled and Accelerated
Ottawa (April 3, 2009)- Ed Komarnicki, M.P, for Souris-Moose Mountain is pleased to announce that effective immediately, the federal Gas Tax Transfer to the provinces and territories to support better municipal infrastructure has doubled to $2 billion annually. The Gas Tax Fund (GTF) will remain at that level beyond 2014, when the Government makes it a permanent measure, providing Saskatchewan cities, towns and rural municipalities with stable and predictable funding for their long-term infrastructure priorities. Accelerating the first payment of the Gas Tax Fund by almost three months, the federal government is making up to $1 billion available to municipalities almost three months early.
The Gas Tax Fund is part of an ongoing commitment from the Government of Canada to create jobs and stimulate the economy through modern public infrastructure. It is also an example of all levels of government working together to improve infrastructure and the quality of life of Canadians.
The GTF makes capital investments in water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure, public transit, community energy systems, and local roads and bridges. The Fund combines predictable, long-term funding with local decision making and planning to enable municipalities to build and rehabilitate their core public infrastructure.
Gas Tax funding is provided nationwide and the money is allocated based on population. The first payment will be made in April, in the past, payments have been made in July and then November.
What this means for the City of Estevan is that instead of receiving $318,000 as they did in 2008-09, the city will now receive $642,000 in this fiscal year. What this means for the City of Weyburn is that instead of receiving $296,000 as they did in 2008-09, the city will now receive $597,000 in this fiscal year. The doubling and acceleration of the Gas Tax funding applies to all cities, towns and RMs in Souris-Moose Mountain.
“I’m sure all of the towns and RMs in my constituency will be well pleased with the increase,” said Komarnicki. “When you add these funds to what we are already doing with respect to infrastructure funding, it is not only going to boost local economies, but more importantly will be applied to many essential infrastructure projects that are much needed to build our future.”
The Gas Tax Fund is providing stable funding
that will have a tangible impact on the quality of life and
the long-term sustainability of Saskatchewan communities. The
GTF has already provided funding towards various projects that
support public transit, water and wastewater, and local roads.
