Gas Tax Funding Speeds Up and Doubles

John Baird, Canada’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister, announced today a shot in the arm for municipal infrastructure. Ongoing federal gas tax transfers to the provinces and territories for municipal infrastructure doubled on April 1, 2009 to a total of $2 billion a year, and the federal government is accelerating the first payment of the Gas Tax Fund, making up to $1 billion available to municipalities.

The Gas Tax provides funding for projects such as drinking water, wastewater, local roads and public transit. Gas tax funding is being used for initiatives such as from the TransLink public transportation system in the South Coast British Columbia, bridge improvements in Huron East, Ontario, major wastewater infrastructure improvements in Chelsea, Quebec, and upgrading the Canada Games facilities on Prince Edward Island.