Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is rushing out $2.2 billion in expected infrastructure funding to Canada’s cities struggling with the financial hit of the coronavirus pandemic.
He says sending gas-tax funds months sooner than planned should ease municipalities’ cash flow concerns.
READ MORE: Provinces continue to loosen COVID-19 restrictions
Municipalities have seen steep losses in revenues through the COVID-19 pandemic as fewer people pay for transit or parking, and recreation centres stay closed without programs to fill local coffers.
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The $2.2 billion is much less than municipalities say they need.
Toronto alone says it’s facing a $1.5-billion shortfall this fiscal year and will need to slash services.
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