Quebec City, Quebec, November 26, 2010 – The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister for La Francophonie, Minister responsible of the Quebec City region, and Member of Parliament for Louis-Saint-Laurent, and Michel Pigeon, Member of the National Assembly for Charlesbourg, are pleased to announce that Quebec City will receive $120,212,244, 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 the City of Quebec for infrastructure projects that will make a difference in the lives of local residents," declared Minister Verner. "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 in the municipalities of the Quebec region."
"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 Quebec City 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 Pigeon.
"Ensuring the longevity of our public infrastructure is one of my administration's commitments," said Régis Labeaume, Mayor of Quebec City. "We are thrilled by this announcement which represents substantial support to achieve our projects. The investments that will result over the coming years will contribute to maintain the vitality of the regional economy."
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:
Jimmy Laforge
Communications Director
Office of the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen's PrivyCouncil for Canada, Minister for La Francophonie, Minister responsible of the Quebec City region
613-851-6856
Frédérik Boisvert
Director, Policy and Communications, Quebec Region
Office of Canada's Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Anne-Marie Mongrain
Political Attaché
Office of the Member of the National Assembly for Charlesbourg
418-644-9240
Caroline Saint-Pierre
Communications Branch
Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy
418-691-2015
Paul-Christian Nolin
Press Secretary
Office of the Mayor of Quebec City
418-641-6434
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
