Municipal infrastructure gets a huge boost

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

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The McGuinty government is immediately investing an additional $1.1 billion in municipal infrastructure to improve roads and bridges, expand public transit and build other municipal projects.

Today, Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing announced the municipalities in Nipissing will be receiving a total of $6,994,255.00 to move ahead with their next infrastructure priorities.

Details of the local funding are as follows:

Bonfield
$191,153

Callander
$309,137

Calvin
$57,850

Chisholm
$125,405

East Ferris
$399,623

Mattawa
$190,582

Mattawan
$13,987

Nipissing
$156,233

North Bay
$5,134,772

Papineau-Cameron
$100,667

Powassan
$314,846

Total
$6,994,255.00

The increase in infrastructure funding comes as a result of the government passing the Investing in Ontario Act, 2008. Because of that Act, the government’s surplus above $600 million for the 2007-2008 fiscal year was able to flow to municipalities to fund infrastructure projects.

Today’s announcement was triggered by the release of the 2007-08 Public Accounts, which show a $1.7 billion surplus for the past fiscal year.

Investing in infrastructure is part of the McGuinty government’s five-point economic plan to build a stronger economy.


QUOTES

“Through this investment, the McGuinty government is taking another step forward in our relationship with our municipal partners,” said Monique Smith, MPP, “Our municipalities in Nipissing will now have the ability to choose their next infrastructure projects, and to move those projects forward.”

“By investing in infrastructure in every Ontario community, we’re creating jobs for families and making our communities stronger,” said Premier Dalton McGuinty.

“The Investing in Ontario Act is a balanced approach that will stimulate our economy by investing in municipal infrastructure while being prudent by paying down a portion of the accumulated deficit,” said Dwight Duncan, Ontario Minister of Finance.

QUICK FACTS

• Nipissing District Municipalities will be receiving $6,994,255.00 for infrastructure priorities.

• This year the Investing in Ontario Act, 2008 and regulation direct a portion of provincial surpluses to municipalities for infrastructure needs, such as improving roads and bridges, expanding transit and upgrading social housing.

• Every municipality in Ontario will benefit. $1.1 billion in capital grants will be paid to municipalities and $600 million will go towards reducing the province’s accumulated deficit.

• In 2007, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce did a survey of Ontario economic leaders and found "91% of those surveyed indicated that infrastructure was the most critical issue to be addressed today."

• With today’s announcement, in 2007-08 the McGuinty government invested a total of $9.9 billion in infrastructure to improve the province’s highways, public transit, municipal roads and bridges, hospitals, places to learn and other public assets. Of that, $3.5 billion has gone towards municipalities for infrastructure.

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