Transfer of part of the Gasoline Excise Tax revenue 2010-2014
Quebec City, Quebec, October 4, 2010 – The Minister of Natural Resources of Canada, the Honourable Christian Paradis, and the Chair of the Government Caucus and Member of the National Assembly for D'Arcy-McGee, Lawrence Bergman, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Quebec's Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, are pleased to announce that two municipalities of the Montreal region will receive $9,316,013, 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 and particularly for drinking water, wastewater, local road networks, solid waste management, energy efficiency improvements of buildings and public transit.
"Our government is proud of its commitment to provide stable, long-term funding to each municipality to provide support for 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 quality jobs and improve the quality of life of Canadians."
"New monies are available to municipalities for the period 2010-2014, through the Gas Tax Fund and the Quebec government's contribution. The government funding totals 2.1 billion for the duration of the program. These new funding measures will help the two municipalities of D'Arcy McGee to invest in their local infrastructure based on their needs and priorities. It is an excellent opportunity for the municipalities to gain access to 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 MNA Lawrence Bergman.
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 $2.8 billion, including $2.1 billion for drinking water, wastewater, local road networks, solid waste management and energy efficiency improvements of buildings, as well as $700 million for public transit. The funds are delivered by the Société de financement des infrastructures locales du Québec (SOFIL).
Contacts:
Jacques Fauteux
Director, Policy and Communications
Office of Canada's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure
613 991-0700
Claire Tardif
Press Secretary
Office of the MNA for D'Arcy-McGee
514 488-7028
Infrastructure Canada
613 948-1148
Or Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Caroline Saint-Pierre
Communications Directorate
Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
418 691-2015
