Saskatchewan has received the first of two $31.2 million installments of the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) for the 2019-20 fiscal year, along with a top-up of $61.9 million, made available through the 2019-20 federal budget.
This top-up doubles the amount of money for Saskatchewan communities, based on their allocations for 2018-19, enabling them to carry out infrastructure projects that support the well-being of their residents.
Estevan is receiving an extra $700,000 from the federal government under the gas tax fund for infrastructure priorities. Roads, wastewater and recreation are all eligible.
Originally it was to receive $677,497.
The RM of Estevan, meanwhile, was to receive $80,830, but now will receive an additional $72,440.
The federal GTF is a long-term, indexed source of funding that supports a diverse range of local infrastructure projects across the province each year.
This predictable funding, enhanced by a doubling of the 2018-19 GTF allocations, as announced in the 2019-20 federal budget, is allowing communities to plan for current and future infrastructure priorities, so they can build the resilient infrastructure of the 21st century that residents deserve, and help ensure that Saskatchewan remains among the best places in the world to live.
“The federal gas tax Fund provides Saskatchewan municipalities the opportunity to advance local infrastructure projects that best meet the needs of their citizens. The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to play a role in this program,” said Estevan MLA Lori Carr, who is also the minister of Government Relations. “By administering this federal funding, we help make our communities even better places to live, work and play.”
"The Government of Canada is proud to deliver this stable, predictable long-term funding that communities rely on to develop their public infrastructure,” said François-Philippe Champagne, the minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “By working with other orders of government, we are making significant progress and delivering concrete results for all Canadians.
“From improving roads, water services and energy efficiency, to enhancing recreation and tourism centres, the federal Gas Tax Fund is helping keep families safe, promote economic development and improve people's quality of life across the country.”The federal Gas Tax Fund delivers over $2 billion every year to over 3,600 communities across the country. In recent years the funding has supported approximately 4,000 projects each year.
The GTF will provide Saskatchewan with over $124 million this fiscal year for local infrastructure projects.
