The Rural Municipality of Gimli benefits from the Small Communities Transportation Fund thanks to the Federal Gas Tax Fund

News Release

May 19, 2015 – Gimli, Manitoba – Infrastructure Canada

Representatives from all levels of government were in Gimli today to celebrate an investment that will improve transit service reliability for persons with disabilities in the area covered by the Rural Municipalities of Armstrong, St. Andrews and Gimli, the Town of Winnipeg Beach and the Village of Dunnottar.

The Rural Municipality of Gimli, Manitoba has added a new handi-transit bus to its fleet, improving service reliability for users. Handi-transit services enable persons with mobility issues to live more independently and participate fully in community life by providing safe and accessible transit service.

The modern vehicle replaces a 12-year old, out-dated one that needed to be retired. It is expected to lower annual operating expenses and maintain service reliability, as it will require less maintenance than its predecessor.

Acquisition of the bus was made thanks in part to the Small Communities Transportation Fund, which reserves a part of the province's annual federal Gas Tax Fund allocation to help address the active transportation and public transportation needs of Manitoba's smaller communities.

Quick facts

The Government of Canada contributed $25,556, in part through the Small Communities Transportation Fund administered by Manitoba, out of the annual federal Gas Tax Fund allocation to the Province.
The remaining funding came from regional and local donations.
The total cost of the vehicle was $35,000.
To help ensure the sustainability of the investment, the Eastern Interlake Handi-Van Inc. Committee will support ongoing maintenance costs for the vehicle. The Committee is made up of eight members from the rural municipalities of Gimli, St. Andrews and Armstrong, the Village of Dunnottar and the Town of Winnipeg Beach.
Between 2014 and 2019, the Government of Canada is providing over $340 million in funding, including $65,470,748 in 2015, for municipal infrastructure in Manitoba through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
In Manitoba, a portion of the annual funding is set aside for the Small Communities Transportation Fund, a provincially administered, application-based funding program that supports small, rural Manitoba communities' investments in eligible transit, handi-transit or active transportation projects. Annual funding of up to $200,000 is available under the program over five years, starting in 2014.

Quotes

"Millions of Canadians depend on public transit for their daily needs and our Government is pleased to support a service that offers persons with disabilities as well as seniors an accessible, safe form of transport. The federal Gas Tax Fund, part of the historic New Building Canada Plan, is just one of the ways we are carrying out our commitment to build better communities while creating jobs and enhancing economic growth across the country."

- James Bezan
Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake
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

"This specially equipped handi transit bus is an important addition to the services offered by these municipal partners, making travel for the disabled in and around their communities safer and more accessible while making a lasting impact on the lives of Manitobans with disabilities. This mode of transportation ensures citizens with mobility issues can continue to have active lives and participate in the affairs of their communities."

- The Honourable Drew Caldwell
Minister for Municipal Government

"The addition of this new van allows our seniors and those with mobility issues to enjoy a quality of life we take for granted. The ability to leave their residences and partake in the community economically and socially contributes immensely to their quality of life and to their community. We thank both levels of government and our municipal partners for their contribution towards this worthy endeavour."

- Randy Woroniuk
Mayor of the Rural Municipality of Gimli

Associated links

To learn more about the federal Gas Tax Fund.
Information on the Small Communities Transportation fund.
For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan.
To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy, consult Canada's Economic Action Plan.

Contacts

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

Caedmon Malowany
Cabinet Communications
Province of Manitoba
204-945-1494

Kristin Strachan
Assistant CAO
RM of Gimli
204-642-6657

Infrastructure Canada
613 960-9251
Toll-Free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @INFC_eng

Search for related information by keyword

Infrastructure Canada Transport Economic Action Plan

Page details

2016-12-14

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

The Rural Municipality of Gimli benefits from the Small Communities Transportation Fund thanks to the Federal Gas Tax Fund

News Release

Page details