Project made possible thanks to federal Gas Tax Fund
Hawkesbury, Ontario, September 19, 2013 – Important work to improve Tupper and Spence Streets will officially begin next week. Both roads will be widened, their bases reshaped and surfaces repaved. As well, a culvert running under Tupper Street at Tessier will be replaced. Finally, newly paved shoulders will make travel easier and safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Work is expected to be completed by mid-November.
"Our Government's infrastructure investments through the Gas Tax Fund transfer will continue to generate economic growth and job creation here in Hawkesbury and across Canada for years to come,"
said Pierre Lemieux, Member of Parliament for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec. "We recognize the importance of having safe and modern infrastructure, and are proud to be contributing to this significant project."
"Resurfacing of Tupper and Spence streets were identified as top priorities by the Town of Hawkesbury's Council,"
said Hawkesbury Mayor René Berthiaume. "The Government of Canada is providing $840,000 from the Gas Tax Fund, offsetting the totality of the cost of the project for these two critical arteries."
"Canada's Gas Tax Fund delivers for Ontario's municipalities by meeting our pressing need for infrastructure investment,"
said Russ Powers, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). "Through our unique federal-municipal partnership, municipalities invest the Fund exactly where it is needed the most which helps to make our communities safer, more efficient and prosperous."
The federal Gas Tax Fund transfer provides long-term funding to municipalities across the country to build and revitalize their local infrastructure. The Government of Canada has invested over $10 billion to date in municipal infrastructure through this program, and passed legislation to make it a permanent transfer of $2 billion per year. As part of Economic Action Plan 2013, the government committed to index the Gas Tax Fund transfer to provide additional funding for communities going forward. Between 2010 and 2014, the Town of Hawkesbury will receive over $1,333,626 from the Gas Tax Fund transfer to improve local infrastructure.
AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments. AMO delivers Canada's Gas Tax Fund to Ontario municipalities, except Toronto, twice a year, on a per capita basis. The Ontario model is unique and has proven to deliver through its transparency and effectiveness. Municipalities rely on the Fund's administration model which provides flexibility and a long-term, predictable and stable allocation to invest in local priority projects.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure visit Infrastructure Canada or follow us on Twitter at @INFC_eng.
For more information on the Federal Gas Tax Fund at work in Ontario communities, visit Gas Tax At Work or @GasTaxInOntario on Twitter.
Marie-Josée Paquette (Disponible en français)
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Jean-Yves Carrier
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Hawkesbury
613-632-0106
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251or toll-free: 1-877-250-7154
