Victoria, British Columbia, January 26, 2012 – Over $3.7 million from Canada's Gas Tax Fund will be provided to 22 communities throughout British Columbia to support long-term infrastructure planning.
"Our Government is proud to deliver permanent annual infrastructure funding for municipalities through Canada's Gas Tax Fund,"
said the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Investing in local infrastructure creates local jobs and economic growth, and the Gas Tax Fund delivers stable, predictable funding that provides communities with flexibility to choose their own infrastructure priorities. By providing greater certainty for long-term planning and local infrastructure renewal, the Gas Tax Fund is helping to strengthen communities across British Columbia and lay the foundation for a bright and prosperous future in Canada."
The projects supported through this funding will address a broad range of strategic priorities, including growth management, community energy planning, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
"Local governments across B.C. have a strong foundation in planning, and this component of the Gas Tax Fund provides the opportunity to advance sustainability as it pertains to environmental, cultural, social and economic dimensions,"
said Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
Canada's Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. This Infrastructure Canada program primarily supports capital projects such as local roads, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in British Columbia in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia. On December 15, 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion.
"There have been significant advancements to sustainable planning practices in recent years,"
said Heath Slee, President of UBCM. "The Gas Tax Fund is helping communities to take advantage of these improved tools as they design the communities in which we live."
A list of recipient communities and funding amounts is provided in the attached backgrounder.
For further information on the Government of Canada's infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information:
Pierre Floréa
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Jeff Rud
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-208-4028
Paul Taylor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Canada's Gas Tax Fund supports a range of local infrastructure priorities, including projects that help communities develop Integrated Community Sustainability (ICS) Plans. Based on local needs, these strategic projects help communities build long-term plans to manage local infrastructure renewal and achieve positive environmental results.
The following communities in British Columbia will use funding from the Gas Tax Fund for strategic planning projects:
