$2 Billion annual infrastructure Investment will provide jobs, boost local economy and improve quality of life for families.
 
KENORA APRIL 3, 2009 – Families and workers in the riding of Kenora will soon see faster improvements to roads and other local infrastructure thanks to the Conservative government’s doubling of Gas Tax transfers to municipalities, said Conservative MP Greg Rickford.
 
“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is doubling the annual funding that municipalities in the riding of Kenora receive as part of the Gas Tax Fund and making up to $1 billion available to these municipalities almost three months early,” said Rickford. “This increased investment will total $1,227,266 in 2009 and will help to create jobs, boost sales for local businesses and improve the quality of life for the families of the Kenora riding during this challenging economic time in our history.”
 
This latest announcement builds on the Conservative government’s previous action of providing permanent Gas Tax Fund transfers to municipalities. Doubling transfers will further help municipalities ensure that their infrastructure is able to meet the future needs of local families, workers and businesses.
 
The federal Gas Tax transfers to the provinces and municipalities will double starting April 1, 2009, and will provide a total of $2 billion per year for municipalities to invest in projects like new roads, water treatment plants, improved buses and transit systems, as well as better sewers and bridges Accelerating the first payment of the Gas Tax Fund by almost three months, making up to $1 billion available to municipalities almost three months early. The first payment will be made in April.
 
Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Conservative government is building on the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over the next two years. “Our government is proud to be working with provinces and municipalities to deliver stable, predictable funding for infrastructure that Canadians use and depend on every day,” concluded Rickford.