The Federal Gas Tax Fund at work in Quebec

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 31, 2015) - Infrastructure Canada

The Government of Canada is proud to announce that the first installment of the annual allocation of the federal Gas Tax Fund has been made available to Quebec municipalities. The annual $2-billion federal Gas Tax Fund allocation will provide over $458.2 million in 2015-2016 to help Quebec communities build and rehabilitate their infrastructure.

Since 2006 municipalities across Quebec have benefited from over $3.5 billion for local infrastructure priorities under the federal Gas Tax Fund and a contribution from the Government of Quebec.

Between 2014-2019, the Government of Canada will provide the Government of Quebec with nearly $2.4 billion for municipal and public transit infrastructure. The Government of Quebec will contribute $1.3 billion to this amount over the same period, resulting in a total investment of $3.6 billion for municipal infrastructure projects.

Quick Facts

• To date, $15 billion has been made available to Canadian municipalities through the federal Gas Tax Fund, with close to $22 billion flowing over the 10-year duration of the renewed agreements.
• Last year, the federal Gas Tax Fund supported many projects in Quebec, including:
  • the construction of new drinking water supply infrastructure and wastewater sanitation in Sainte-Barbe;
  • the expansion of commuter parking in the city of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu;
  • the repair and maintenance of subway vehicles and equipment by the Société de transport de Montréal
  • the replacement of over a kilometre of water and sewer mains on Highway 230 in La Pocatière;
  • the completion of work on the Achille-Gagnon Wastewater Treatment Plant in Victoriaville; and
  • the completion of a cultural infrastructure project in Sainte-Thérèse.

Quotes

"Since 2006 the Government of Canada has made significant improvements to the federal Gas Tax Fund, taking concrete action on its commitment to ensure it delivers flexible, indexed and predictable long-term funding to communities across Canada. Investments through the federal Gas Tax Fund are helping Quebec's municipalities address their local infrastructure priorities, while contributing to creating jobs, promoting productivity and supporting economic growth. This first installment of 2015 will continue to benefit residents across the province."

L'honorable Denis Lebel Le ministre de l'Infrastructure, des Collectivités et des Affaires intergouvernementales et ministre de l'Agence de développement économique du Canada pour les régions du Québec

"The Government of Quebec welcomes the first 2015-2016 allocation of more than $458 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund with great pleasure. Thanks to this important contribution, Quebec municipalities can go ahead with their priority municipal infrastructure projects. The realization of these projects will contribute to the development and prosperity of our communities as well as to their quality of life."

Pierre Moreau, Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy

"This announcement bodes well for the realization of public transit infrastructure projects, which will bring important benefits to communities by improving services and citizens' quality of life. I am thrilled that, because of this allocation, the infrastructure projects close to the hearts of Quebec communities are becoming increasingly tangible."

Robert Poëti, Quebec Minister of Transport

Associated Links

To learn more about the federal Gas Tax Fund visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html.

For additional information on the New Building Canada Plan, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/plan-eng.html.

To learn more about the Government of Canada's focus on jobs and the economy consult Canada's Economic Action Plan: http://www.budget.gc.ca/2015/home-accueil-eng.html.

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