News Release
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MP Jay Aspin announces federal contribution to new Burke Drive bridge in Mattawan
Mattawan September 19, 2014 – Jay Aspin, MP for Nipissing-Timiskaming announced $18,000 in federal support provided through the Gas Tax Fund today at the official opening of the new Burke Drive bridge in Mattawan
“The Gas Tax Fund is a key support program for municipalities,” said MP Jay Aspin. “This support takes pressure off of municipal governments so they can keep taxes lower and keep more money in their communities . in addition, it helps municipalities keep their infrastructure modern and energy efficient.”
The Federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) was introduced in 2005 to facilitate direct transfers of funding from the federal government to municipalities. Municipalities receive the transfers upfront twice a year. The $13 billion dollar fund, supported by Canada’s Economic Action Plan and administered through Infrastructure Canada, will continue supporting municipalities until 2014.
“Our government wants municipalities to have stable, annual funding for their long-term projects,” said MP Jay Aspin. “The new Burke Drive bridge is a perfect example of the kind of vital infrastructure municipalities are better able to finance and prioritize because of the Gas Tax Fund.”
MP Jay Aspin highlighted that one of the most important features of the Fund is that municipalities retain great flexibility in how they want to use the funds. He explained that this allows municipalities to divert resources to key projects as necessary and on their timelines instead of the usual application process for other federal monies.
Through the GTF various municipalities in Nipissing region have been able to resurface or set new roads, replace decaying waste infrastructure, update landfills, and improve the safety of drinking water infrastructure.
Since 2006, the Federal Gas Tax Fund has transferred over $28.5 million to Nipissing region.
