Saint-Lazare, Quebec, November 5, 2010 – The Minister of Natural Resources of Canada, the Honourable Christian Paradis, and the Member of the National Assembly for Solanges and Deputy Government Whip for the Government of Quebec, Lucie Charlebois, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Quebec's Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, are pleased to announce that the City of Saint-Lazare will receive $4,298,380, 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.
Since 2005, the City of Saint-Lazare has benefitted from an investment of $2,241,672 under this agreement, which funded the rehabilitation of the Saint-Angélique well.
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 City of Saint-Lazare 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 Lucie Charlebois.
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).
Contact:
Jacques Fauteux
Director, Policy and Communications
Office of Canada's Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613 991-0700
Sylvain Bourassa
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
418-691-2050
Caroline Saint-Pierre
Communications Directorate
Quebec Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
418-691-2015
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
