Canada's Gas Tax Fund supports local infrastructure priorities and strengthens economy throughout Nova Scotia
July 3, 2014 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Infrastructure Canada
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Stephen McNeil, Nova Scotia Premier, celebrated today an agreement for the renewed federal Gas Tax Fund that provides predictable, stable funding for public infrastructure across the Province of Nova Scotia.
The federal Gas Tax Fund provides municipalities with the flexibility to choose and plan infrastructure projects based on their specific priorities. The renewed agreements will govern the flow of federal funds to each province and territory over the next 10 years, from 2014-15 until 2023-24.
Since 2006, significant improvements have been made to the Gas Tax Fund. It has been extended, doubled, indexed and made permanent. By enshrining these commitments in legislation, provinces, territories and municipalities are assured of an ongoing funding stream to address their municipal infrastructure needs and priorities.
Under the renewed Gas Tax Fund, eligible categories have also been expanded, providing municipalities with more flexibility than ever before to support local infrastructure.
With this agreement, the Government of Canada is ensuring a seamless transition to the New Building Canada Plan, the largest long-term federal commitment to investing in Canada's public infrastructure in our nation's history.
- Canada's Gas Tax Fund transfer has provided $13 billion to Canadian communities to date. Over the 10-year life of the New Building Canada Plan from 2014 to 2024, the Gas Tax Fund will provide close to $22 billion in funding for municipalities.
- New Building Canada Plan will provide $53 billion in funding to communities across the country over the next decade. For Nova Scotia, this represents more than $1 billion in dedicated federal funding, including more than $426 million under the New Building Canada Fund and an estimated $580 million under the federal Gas Tax Fund*. Nova Scotia also stands to benefit from the Government of Canada's following national funding programs:
- $4 billion available across the country for projects of national significance,
- $1.25 billion in additional funding available for P3 projects,
- $10.4 billion via the GST Rebate, which provides municipalities across the country with additional resources to address their infrastructure priorities.
- More than 800 projects benefitted from funding from the last Gas Tax Fund Agreement in Nova Scotia. For example, during the last construction season, the federal Gas Tax Fund supported:
- the expansion and development of the Old Mill Trail in Nictaux;
- wastewater treatment improvements in Bear River;
- significant transit services improvements in the Halifax Regional Municipality; and
- the construction of a new administration building in the District of St. Mary's.
- Eligible investment categories under this Fund include: drinking water; wastewater and solid waste; public transit; local roads and bridges; community energy systems; capacity building; disaster mitigation; broadband connectivity; highways; short-line rail; short-sea shipping; brownfield redevelopment; regional and local airports; and projects supporting culture, tourism, sport and recreation.
[*] NOTE: GTF funding by jurisdiction for the first five years (2014-2019) is based on 2011 Census data. GTF funding for 2019-2024 will be based on 2016 Census data. For illustrative purposes, Census 2011 data has been used for all 10 years. Due to the indexation of the GTF, funding for 2019-2024 is expected to be at least equal to GTF funding for the first five years.
"Our Government's commitment to communities has never been stronger. Through our unprecedented financial support for public infrastructure, we are ensuring communities across the country enjoy a high standard of living, new economic opportunities, and a safe, healthy environment.
To ensure a more prosperous future for all Nova Scotians, we are proud to strengthen economic growth across the province by supporting our infrastructure priorities through the federal Gas Tax Fund. We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Nova Scotia, which will make this important funding available and allow communities to address their specific infrastructure priorities, to ensure our families benefit from an improved quality of life today and well into the future."
- The Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, 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
Vincent Rabault
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
Tracy Barron
Media Relations Advisor
Department of Municipal Affairs
902-424-2733
E-mail: barrontb@gov.ns.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
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Website: Infrastructure Canada
Mary Ann Dewey-Plante
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
