Quebec City, Quebec, July 6, 2010 – The Minister of Natural Resources of Canada, the Honourable Christian Paradis, as well as the President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Estrie region, Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Quebec’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, are pleased to announce that 31 municipalities of the region of Richmond will receive $19,511,072, through the federal provincial agreement on the transfer of a portion of federal gasoline excise tax revenues and the Quebec government's contribution. These funds will be used for public transit and to carry out major infrastructure projects.
The objective of the federal-provincial agreement on the transfer of a portion of federal gasoline excise tax revenues signed by Quebec and the federal government in 2005 is to provide funding for the renewal of municipal and local infrastructure, focusing on sustainable development particularly for drinking water, wastewater, local road networks, solid waste management and energy efficiency improvements of buildings.
“Our government is proud of its commitment to provide stable, long-term funding to each municipality to support infrastructure projects that will make a difference in the lives of local residents,” declared Minister Paradis. “In 2008, our government responded to the call from municipalities by announcing the extension of the Gas Tax Fund and by doubling the transfer to $2 billion per year across the country. This support will help create jobs and improve the quality of life of Canadians.”
”New funding is available to municipalities, for the period 2010-2014, through the Gas Tax Fund and a contribution from the Government of Quebec. Up to $2.1 billion in government funding is available for the duration of the program. These new funding measures will help the 31 municipalities of Richmond to plan their infrastructure investments according to their needs and priorities. This is an excellent opportunity for them to take advantage of a stable, reliable and predictable source of funding to carry out projects that are essential to the development of our communities and improving the quality of life of residents,” explained Minister Gagnon-Tremblay.
Since 2005, Quebec has received $1.151 billion from the Gas Tax Fund, delivered by Infrastructure Canada, in addition to the Quebec government’s contribution of $475.7 million. During the 2010–2014 period, Quebec can expect to receive total funding of $2.6 billion, including $2.1 billion for drinking water, wastewater and road networks as well as $500 million for public transit. The funds are delivered by the Société de financement des infrastructures locales du Québec (SOFIL).
Sources:
Jacques Fauteux
Office of the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Canada
613 991-0700
Andrée-Anne Bégin
Political Attachée
Constituency Office of the Minister responsible for the Estrie region and MNA for Saint-François
819 565-3667
Caroline Saint-Pierre
Communications Directorate
Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs,
Regions and Land Occupancy
418 691-2015
Infrastructure Canada
613 948-1148
