By Seth DuChene
Editor
Local municipalities will have some additional dollars with which to tackle infrastructure projects with the announcement of allocations from the federal Gas Tax Fund.
This week, Hastings-Lennox and Addington MP Mike Bossio detailed the amounts municipalities within his riding would receive through the federal program. In Lennox and Addington, Greater Napanee will receive $471,584, Stone Mills will receive $229,848, Loyalist Township will get $493,170 and Addington Highlands will get $76,981. Deseronto is to receive $55,790 and Tyendinaga Township is to receive $126,173.
According to Greater Napanee Deputy Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer Mark Day, the town has earmarked the Gas Tax Fund amount for its capital roads projects.
“It’s clear that local communities are the ones who know their specific needs best. I’m happy to see the Federal Gas Tax Fund continue to support them in making strategic investments that make our communities a better place to live,” said Bossio in announcing this year’s amounts. “Modern and up-to- date infrastructure helps connect people to jobs and provides access to better community services, attracts new businesses, and creates economic growth.”
According to Infrastructure Canada, the Gas Tax Fund is provided to Canadian municipalities through the provincial and territorial governments twice a year to “support local infrastructure priorities.”
There is a wide range of projects which can be supported through the Gas Tax fund, including drinking water and wastewater infrastructure; solid waste management; roads and bridges; culture, sport and recreation; and disaster mitigation.
About $2 billion per year is allocated to Canadian municipalities through the fund, which is in the third year of a 10-year agreement between the federal and provincial governments. In Ontario, the fund is allocated to municipalities on a per-capita basis.