Gas Tax Fund project will treat polluted water, reduce GHGs
Squamish, British Columbia February 10, 2012 - Squamish and regional communities will benefit from a contribution from Canada’s Gas Tax Fund for infrastructure upgrades to the Squamish Landfill. The upgrades will benefit all regional communities by providing cleaner air, cleaner water and reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
"Our Government is proud to deliver long-term infrastructure funding for municipalities through Canada’s Gas Tax Fund," said John Weston, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "This investment will increase the lifespan of the Squamish Landfill, and help prevent more than 26 million litres of polluted water from entering the environment annually."
The $4 million project will provide additional infrastructure improvements to the Squamish Landfill to trap polluted water and transfer it to the Squamish Waste Water Treatment Plant for cleaning. Infrastructure upgrades will also increase residential and commercial recycling options, diverting waste from the landfill and increasing its lifespan. As well, the project will provide the first steps toward a system to recover landfill gases.
“Thank you to the federal and provincial governments and UBCM for the contribution from the Gas Tax Fund,” said Rob Kirkham, Mayor of Squamish. “This infusion of funds allows the District to accomplish its solid waste strategic goals of operating a Regional and sustainable landfill earlier than projected.”
These upgrades will bring the Squamish Landfill up to current environmental standards and moves Squamish forward in meeting the District’s sustainability objectives.
“This is a very practical use of Gas Tax funding, and will make the existing landfill situation much more sustainable,” said Joan McIntyre, MLA for West Vancouver – Sea to Sky. “I know that Squamish is a signatory to the B.C. Climate Action Charter, and this project will also assist the community in achieving their goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
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 BC 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.
“Reducing the environmental impact of landfills is a costly endeavour,” said Heath Slee, President of UBCM. “UBCM is very appreciative of the support provided through the Gas Tax Fund to make these upgrades possible.”
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
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-208-4028
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Kim Muller
Corporate Services Department
District of Squamish
604-815-3407
InfrastructureCanada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
