Building stronger communities across Yukon with the federal Gas Tax Fund

Doubling of the federal Gas Tax Fund delivers a boost for 8 communities, 14 First Nations and unincorporated communities across the territory

WHITEHORSE, Aug. 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Modern public infrastructure is key to promoting economic growth and developing healthy, sustainable communities. That is why the Government of Canada is renewing its commitment to municipalities, unincorporated communities, and First Nations through the federal Gas Tax Fund and delivering much needed support for their local priorities. 

Yukon has received the first of two $8.25 million annual installments of the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF), along with a top-up of $16.5 million, made available through Budget 2019. This top-up doubles the amount of money for municipalities, unincorporated communities and First Nations in Yukon, enabling them to carry out infrastructure projects that support the well-being of their residents.

The federal GTF is a long-term, indexed source of funding that supports a diverse range of local infrastructure projects across the territory each year. For example, upgrades to the Hart Crescent recirculation station in Riverdale are providing Whitehorse residents with a more reliable and consistent supply of clean drinking water. Meanwhile, the City of Dawson used its Gas Tax funding to build a new concession building at a local park for residents to enjoy. And members of the Kluane First Nation are enjoying a cleaner environment with the purchase of a new truck that pumps out the community's local septic systems.

This predictable funding, enhanced by a doubling of the 2018-19 GTF allocations, as announced in Budget 2019, is allowing municipalities, unincorporated communities and First Nations to plan for current and future infrastructure priorities, so they can build the resilient infrastructure of the 21^st century that residents deserve, and help ensure that Yukon remains among the best places in the world to live.

Quotes

"Our government is proud to deliver this stable, predictable long-term funding that communities rely on to develop their public infrastructure. 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 Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Yukon municipalities, First Nations and unincorporated communities love the Gas Tax Fund because it is reliable and flexible. Doubling it for 2019 is a big deal for all of our communities. Gas Tax projects also support environmental sustainability, economic development and employment opportunities across the territory."

The Honourable John Streicker, Minister of Community Services

"The investments that Yukon municipalities make with Gas Tax Funds help build and revitalize local public infrastructure while supporting economic growth, a clean environment, and strong communities.  The fund provides our municipalities with predictable, flexible, long term funding and communities can make much needed investments across 18 different project categories. We were very pleased to see the doubling of the Gas Tax Fund allocations and would love to see it become permanent."

Tara Wheeler, President, Yukon Association of Communities

Quick Facts

• 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.
• To help address the short-term infrastructure priorities of municipalities, local governments and Indigenous communities, Budget 2019 includes a top-up of $2.2 billion to the federal Gas Tax Fund.
• The federal Gas Tax Fund is flexible in allowing communities to apply funding to their most pressing local needs. Communities can invest across 18 different project categories, including recreation, water systems and roads. They can also 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 its Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing 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.
• The plan includes more than $92 billion for funding such as the Gas Tax Fund and more than $95 billion in new funding for infrastructure programs.
• To date, more than 48,000 projects have been approved under the plan and the majority of these projects are either underway, or already completed.

Related product

Backgrounder

Yukon's 2019‒20 federal Gas Tax Fund allocations

The Government of Canada has delivered the first of two $8.25 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to Yukon for the 2019-20 fiscal year, along with a top-up of $16.5 million. The funding will flow through the territorial government to the following 8 municipalities, 14 First Nations, and unincorporated communities.

In addition to the regular installments, Yukon communities will benefit this year from a top-up to their funding, as announced in Budget 2019. This top-up will accelerate progress and maximize every opportunity to ensure that Canadians in every community across the country continue to see real and timely results in the renewal of public infrastructure.

The GTF will provide Yukon with a total of $33 million this fiscal year for local infrastructure projects.

The following table indicates the 2019-20 federal GTF allocation and Budget 2019 top-up amount for Yukon's communities.¹

Ultimate Recipient	Allocation 2019-20 ($)	Budget 2019 top-up ($)
Carcross/Tagish First Nation	294,881	294,881
Carmacks, Village of	236,442	236,442
Champagne and Aishihik First Nations	458,703	458,703
Dawson, City of	827,711	827,711
Faro, Town of	236,442	236,442
Haines Junction, Village of	472,993	472,993
Kluane First Nation	166,654	166,654
Kwanlin Dün First Nation	356,769	356,769
Liard First Nation	410,163	410,163
Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation	259,689	259,689
Mayo, Village of	236,442	236,442
First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun	242,700	242,700
Ross River Dena Council	239,060	239,060
Selkirk First Nation	276,678	276,678
Ta'an Kwä`ch'än Council	204,677	204,677
Teslin Tlingit Council	311,061	311,061
Teslin, Village of	236,442	236,442
Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation	363,241	363,241
Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation	319,555	319,555
Watson Lake, Town of	827,711	827,711
White River First Nation	141,171	141,171
Whitehorse, City of	7,928,219	7,928,219
Unincorporated Communities	1,132,600	1,132,600

¹ Amounts exclude territorial administrative costs.

Associated links

Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2019/home-accueil-en.html

Investing in Canada, Canada's long-term infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Yukon: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/yt-eng.html

The federal Gas Tax Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html 

The federal Gas Tax Fund in Yukon: http://www.infrastructure.gov.yk.ca/gax_tax.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-697-3778, [email protected]; Matthew Cameron, Cabinet Communications, Government of Yukon, 867-393-7136, [email protected]; Bonnie Venton Ross, Communications Analyst, Department of Community Services, Government of Yukon, 867-332-5513, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected]

Related Links

www.infrastructure.gc.ca