Federal Funding Now Available for Manitoba Communities

News Release

Canada’s Gas Tax Fund supports local infrastructure priorities throughout Manitoba

May 2, 2014 – Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and the Honourable Stan Struthers, Manitoba Minister of Municipal Government, celebrated today an agreement for the renewed federal Gas Tax Fund that provides predictable, stable funding for public infrastructure across Manitoba.

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.

Quick facts

• 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.
• In total, the New Building Canada Plan will provide $53 billion in funding to communities across the country over the next decade. For Manitoba, this represents almost $1.2 billion in dedicated federal funding, including more than $467 million under the New Building Canada Fund and an estimated $713 million under the federal Gas Tax Fund*. Manitoba also stands to benefit from the Government of Canada’s following national funding programs:Between 2006 and 2012, Manitoba municipalities spent approximately $280 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund to support over 900 local infrastructure projects.
  • $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.
• For example, during the 2012 construction season the federal Gas Tax Fund supported the:Eligible investment categories under this Fund include: drinking water; wastewater; 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.
  • installation of a new water and sewer system in the Rural Municipality of Rockwood;
  • expansion of a sewage lagoon in the Rural Municipality and Town of Minitonas;
  • reconstruction of a local road in the Rural Municipality of Ritchot;
  • upgrade of the sewer system in the Village of Glenboro.

*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.

Quotes

“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.

We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Manitoba for a renewed Gas Tax Fund. This important funding will allow communities to address their specific infrastructure priorities and will support economic growth across the province. ”

– The Honourable Shelly Glover
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

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 are pleased to support Manitoba municipalities and communities in their leadership efforts to provide more sustainable resources like water treatment and sewer services, improved infrastructure like better roads and bridges and better transit services for their residents. In signing this new Gas Tax Agreement we look forward to building on the success of the previous agreement and expanding project opportunities to ensure Manitoba remains one of the best places to live, raise a family, work and play.”

– The Honourable Stan Struthers
Minister of Municipal Government and minister responsible for Hydro
Province of Manitoba

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

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

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