Building stronger communities across the Northwest Territories with federal Gas Tax Fund
News release
First of two annual funding transfers now available for 33 communities across the territory
August 10, 2018 Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Investing in local infrastructure supports the unique needs of Northern communities. The governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories are investing in modern public infrastructure that will help create jobs, while improving Northern Canadians’ quality of life and contributing to stronger communities.
The Government of Canada delivered the first of two $8.25-million annual installments of the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) to the Northwest Territories. In total, the territory will be provided with $16.5 million this year through the fund.
The GTF is a long-term, indexed source of funding that supports local infrastructure projects across the Territory each year. The City of Yellowknife is planning to put its share into rebuilding some key local arteries to improve road safety and mobility. Once complete, residents in Tuktoyaktuk will benefit from a greener and cleaner environment thanks to an improved solid waste management system. In the Hamlet of Tulita, the funding will go towards a new multi-sport field and playground that will provide additional recreational and sports programming for residents.
Roads, drinking water and recreation are only three of the 18 project categories eligible for funding under the program. This wide range demonstrates the flexibility of the GTF in allowing communities to direct their allocations to their most pressing local needs.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is proud to deliver this stable long-term funding that northern communities count on to develop and maintain their public infrastructure. By investing in infrastructure at the local level, the Government of Canada is helping grow the northern economy, promoting sustainable development in the Northwest Territories and the entire country.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“The federal Gas Tax Fund makes a difference in people’s quality of life in all Northwest Territories (NWT) communities. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs administers the Fund in the NWT on behalf of the Government of Canada, and we help community governments build capacity in infrastructure planning and management. Communities themselves plan and manage how they use this funding, based on local priorities and needs – whether that’s better roads, water and sewer upgrades or sport and recreation facilities. We appreciate this opportunity to work together with the Government of Canada in support of NWT community priorities.”
The Honourable Alfred Moses,Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs
Quick facts
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The two federal Gas Tax Fund installments for this year flow to communities through the territorial government under the Investing in Canada plan.
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Communities can invest across 18 different project categories. They can also use the funds immediately for priority projects, bank them for later use, pool the dollars with other communities for shared infrastructure projects or use them to finance major infrastructure expenditures.
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Through its Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
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Contacts
Kate Monfette
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-301-0894
kate.monfette@canada.ca
Jay Boast
Communications and Website Advisor
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-767-9162 ext. 21044
jay_boast@gov.nt.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
infc.media-medias.infc@canada.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
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