WATERLOO – The Federal Government announced this week the doubling of the Gas Tax Transfer to provinces and territories for municipal support. Under the increase, the City of Waterloo will receive $2,840,332 and the City of Kitchener $6,186,661 in 2009-2010 in predictable, annual funding. Nationally, the increase in municipal transfers will reach $2 billion each year, providing cities with the resources they need as they make infrastructure development plans.
“This is an excellent way for our government to invest in municipalities,” explains Peter Braid. “By transferring these funds to the cities, we help them address the concerns that directly affect their citizens. It is a very beneficial partnership.”
The government has also sped up the first payments under the program, meaning $1 billion in transfers will occur three months early, in April instead of July.
"This is a tremendous benefit to the City," said Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran. "This injection of funding means that we can put the federal dollars to work in our community ahead of schedule."
The Gas Tax Fund, a key component of the Building Canada Plan, was made permanent in Budget 2008. It is helping to build Canada’s communities by providing predictable, long-term funding for projects that contribute to cleaner air, cleaner water and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
In Kitchener-Waterloo, past projects financed by the Gas Tax Fund include the green roof at Waterloo City Hall, the LEEDS components of the East side fire station, as well as local storm water management systems.
