Every Prince Edward Island community to benefit from federal Gas Tax Fund transfer
News Release
First of two annual installments under federal Gas Tax Fund
July 31, 2017 - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island - Infrastructure Canada
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 $7.8 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to Prince Edward Island. In total, the province will be provided with over $15.7 million this year through the fund. The funding, which flows through the provincial government to all of its municipalities, is now available to support community infrastructure projects.
Based on previous years, GTF funding supports approximately 45 local infrastructure projects across Prince Edward Island each year.
Some examples of the projects being funded this year include the design and construction of a new community recreation complex in the Community of Morell. The Town of Stratford has plans to develop a boat launch from Mason Road and Greenmount-Montrose will use funding for the expansion of the current Montrose Community Centre. 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 being made available to Prince Edward Island under the Investing in Canada plan.
Quotes
“Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, communities across Prince Edward Island 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 is very beneficial to our province, providing necessary funds to help rebuild and improve infrastructure important to Islanders and our province’s economic growth. The Government of Prince Edward Island will continue to work with all levels of government to maintain, upgrade and renew needed infrastructure across our province.”
The Honourable Paula Biggar, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy for Prince Edward Island
Quick Facts
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Since the program was first introduced in 2005, over $159 million has been provided to communities in Prince Edward Island through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
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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 installments each year, in July and November.
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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.
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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.
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Contacts
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
Brook.Simpson@canada.ca
Ron Ryder
Senior Communications Officer
Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy
902-368-5112
rrryder@gov.pe.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
infc.media-medias.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada