FREDERICTON, New Brunswick - Penobsquis is the first
unincorporated area to benefit from funding under the Canada-New Brunswick
Agreement on the Transfer of Federal Gas Tax Revenues and the Provincial
Gas Tax Transfer Top-up Fund.
"The Government of Canada is committed to working with its provincial
and municipal partners to build stronger and safer communities for a
strong Canada," said Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities. "These federal investments are flowing to
New Brunswick's unincorporated areas to address local infrastructure needs
and to help communities of all sizes enjoy economic opportunities, a high
quality of life, a healthy environment."
"We are very pleased to announce this important funding for the
Penobsquis area," said Local Government Minister Rose-May Poirier. "We
worked very hard to make sure that all regions of the province,
incorporated and unincorporated areas alike, would be entitled to receive
their fair share of the gas tax revenue."
Penobsquis, a rural area about 10 kilometers east of the Town of Sussex
and the Village of Sussex Corner, will benefit from a $1.215 million
contribution for development of the first phases of a regional water
supply. Homes in the area have been experiencing water shortages, and a
water-supply plan is required to address the immediate need to provide
domestic water service. The total cost of the project will be
$9,615,000.
The $146 million Canada-New Brunswick Agreement on the Transfer of
Federal Gas Tax Revenues and the Provincial Gas Tax Transfer Top-up Fund
were announced in November 2005. While 63 per cent of the fund goes to
municipalities, unincorporated areas will share $54 million in federal gas
tax revenue.
The funds are to be invested in environmentally sustainable municipal
infrastructure. Eligible project categories include water, wastewater,
community-energy systems, solid-waste management, public transit, capacity
building, and active transportation, including roads and bridges where it
can be demonstrated that they will enhance environmental sustainability
outcomes.
Contacts:
Natalie SarafianPress SecretaryTransport, Infrastructure,
and Communities
Diane GauthierCommunicationsLocal
Government
(613) 991-0700
(506) 444-4693
Infrastructure CanadaCommunications Directorate
(613) 948-1148
