Celebrating Canada’s gas tax fund

City of North Bay
News Release

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Significant infrastructure projects that were made possible in part from over $8.2 million of the Government of Canada’s Gas Tax Fund were recognized in a plaque unveiling at North Bay City Hall.

“The Government of Canada is proud to commemorate such important improvements to the City of North Bay’s roads and bridges, made possible through the federal Gas Tax Fund,” said the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka. “The federal Gas Tax Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to stimulate the economy and create jobs through investments in public infrastructure.”

“North Bay is grateful to receive the Federal Gas Tax. This sustainable funding has allowed us to plan for improvements for our infrastructure, knowing the funding is in place each year,” said Victor Fedeli, Mayor of North Bay. “It allows us to plan the ‘big picture’ for the community and it is delivering big results.”

Between 2006 and 2009, the city of North Bay received over $8.2 million through the federal Gas Tax Fund, which has been used to widen lanes, install new traffic signals, replace sidewalks and provide safer parking on some of North Bay’s most widely used roads.

“The federal Gas Tax Fund acknowledges that all orders of government must work together to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in Ontario,” said Norman Sandberg, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. “The funding is supporting thousands of important infrastructure projects and is critical to job creation, Ontario’s competitiveness and environmental sustainability.”

The federal Gas Tax Fund provides municipalities with a stable and predictable source of funding for environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure. Funding is also available for planning projects that contribute to the sustainability of communities and regions.

The Government of Canada extended the Gas Tax Fund to 2014 resulting in $746 million in funding annually for municipal infrastructure in Ontario. On April 23, 2010, the Government of Canada announced that Ontario received an advance payment of $373 million, helping municipalities make the most of the spring and summer construction seasons.

Under the Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is allocating $12 billion to infrastructure projects across the country. This is further complemented by an earlier commitment of $33 billion to infrastructure under the Building Canada Plan.

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