The government of Canada has given the first of two installments, more than $30.9 million, of the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) to Saskatchewan for the 2018-19 fiscal year.
That means a total of $61.9 million within that period.
Officials said investing in modern, efficient public infrastructure is key to promoting economic growth, strengthening the middle class and developing healthy sustainable communities.
The GTF is a long-term, indexed source of funding that supports local infrastructure projects across the province each year.
Some planned projects funded this year include installation of culverts in the Rural Municipality of Pleasantdale, construction of a new skating arena in the Assiniboia, and expansion of a water treatment plant reservoir in Strasbourg.
Local roads and bridges, sport infrastructure and drinking water are three of the 18 project categories eligible for funding under the program.
This wide range demonstrates the flexibility of the GTF in allowing communities to direct their allocations to their most pressing local needs.
“Local governments know best what their communities need and the government of Canada is proud to deliver stable, long-term funding that they count on to develop and maintain their public infrastructure,” Minister of Infrastructure and Communities François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement.
“By investing in our communities, the government of Canada is promoting economic growth and environmental sustainability, strengthening the middle class and helping ensure all Canadians have access to the opportunities they need to succeed.”
“The government of Saskatchewan is proud to play a role in administering the federal Gas Tax Fund program, which invests in municipalities across our great province,” Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding said.
“This federal funding allows local governments to put infrastructure funding toward projects to best serve their communities and citizens.”
- Communities can invest across 18 different project categories. They can use the funds immediately for priority projects, bank them for later use, pool the dollars with other communities for shared infrastructure projects or use them to finance major infrastructure expenditures.
- Through it’s Investing in Canada Plan, the government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
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