Today, the Honorable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, joined the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, in announcing more than $31.5 million from the Government of Canada under the Gas Tax Fund to Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
This funding includes over $21.7 million for 276 communities, as well as $8.9 million for the Provincial Waste Management Strategy, $451,000 for the Water and Wastewater Initiative, and $369,000 for program administration.
The federal Gas Tax Fund provides communities with stable flexible funding for their infrastructure priorities across a wide range of categories. Examples include Springdale upgrading its storm sewer system to manage runoff and prevent flooding; children in Mount Pearl to benefit from 39 new pieces of playground equipment in 32 locations across the city, providing safe and inclusive spaces to play; Conche residents to benefit from cleaner quality drinking water thanks to water and sewer upgrades; and Clarke’s Beach residents to benefit with the addition of tourists visiting the new community park and garden overlooking the ocean along Conception Bay Highway.
By enabling communities to plan for their current and future needs, and build or improve the infrastructure that will help them thrive through any circumstance, the Gas Tax Fund is a critical tool that will help ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador remains among the best places in the world to live for generations to come.
A complete list of communities and their Gas Tax Fund allocation are available here.
Quotes
“We are ensuring all communities in Newfoundland and Labrador are supported during this challenging time. Receiving the full amount of the Gas Tax Fund upfront this year for approved infrastructure projects will benefit residents of municipalities and Inuit Community Governments. These projects represent important investments in our communities to strengthen services and build infrastructure as we all learn to live with COVID-19 for the foreseeable future.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment
“Our Government is making immediate investments in infrastructure that will play a vital role in helping municipalities, Inuit Community Governments and First Nations communities revive their economies, and will improve the lives of Canadians. As a first step, we are accelerating this year’s payment through the federal Gas Tax Fund. This will put more than $31.5 million in the hands of communities to improve local infrastructure like wastewater systems, playgrounds and tourism sites.”
Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
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Media contacts
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
infc.media-medias.infc@canada.ca