REGINA – Municipalities across Saskatchewan are getting more money from gas taxes to pump into infrastructure projects and they’ll be able to use the cash in more ways.
The province has signed a new gas tax agreement with the federal government that will see communities share $56.3 million for infrastructure this year.
“The renewed Gas Tax Fund provides a source of revenue for Saskatchewan municipalities to address their priority infrastructure projects, such as building roads and improving water and sewage treatment,” Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said.
The total amount over five years is nearly $293 million.
The gas tax money used to be only for infrastructure projects such as roads, water or sewage plants.
“These projects help build vibrant communities and improve the quality of life for all Saskatchewan people. I want to thank the Government of Canada for providing a source of long-term, stable funding to Saskatchewan municipalities during this time of growth in our province.”
Now municipalities can also use the money for disaster mitigation, to increase Internet access or for airports.
Weyburn Mayor Deb Button, who is president of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, says the list of needs that communities have is endless.
with files from Global News
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