Lauzon: New Funding Will Improve Municipal Infrastructure

April 08, 2009

After a tough winter like the one we’ve just had, the roads in communities like ours can end up with some fairly deep potholes. Thanks to the Conservative government, communities across Canada will be getting some significant help from the federal government to meet these challenges.

Beginning April 1st, the Conservative Government doubled the amount of money Canadian municipalities receive from the Gas Tax Fund to $2 billion. We’ve also accelerated the first payment this year, making funds available to municipalities almost three months early.

At a time when Canadian municipalities are feeling the effects of the global economic downturn, this increased, accelerated and permanent funding will provide more opportunities to put Canadians to work, and get more money flowing through our local economy.

In the short-term, the increase in funds will mean that shovels will hit the ground sooner on important municipal projects. In the long term, this permanent funding will mean that municipalities can plan for the future with greater confidence.

The Gas Tax Fund was first announced two years ago as part of the Conservative Government’s  7-year, $33 billion Building Canada Plan, which helps build and revitalize infrastructure across Canada. The Gas Tax Fund remains the largest component of this plan and provides municipalities with funding for public transit, road building and maintenance, and other infrastructure projects.

Last year, we made the Gas Tax Fund permanent. Now, municipalities have the stable, long-term funding they have asked for to be able to plan for future projects. This means that they can plan for major projects down the road and be secure in knowing that the Gas Tax Fund will be there to help support important community initiatives.

In January, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty introduced Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which takes action to create jobs, protect our economy and equip Canada for success in the future. Our plan delivers real results for Canadians with targeted action designed to stimulate Canada’s economy.

As part of this plan, over the next two years, an additional $12 billion will be invested in roads, bridges, hockey arenas, wastewater treatment facilities and other infrastructure projects designed to help kick-start our economy.

These investments will substantially benefit the residents of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, and will help to deliver jobs and economic stimulus for families and businesses in our community and across Canada.

Guy Lauzon, MP
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry