First of two installments delivered to support local infrastructure priorities
WHITEHORSE, Aug. 8, 2017 /CNW/ - Modern and up-to-date community infrastructure helps connect people to jobs and provides access to better community services, attracts new businesses and creates economic growth.
In July, the Government of Canada delivered the first of two annual $7.8 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to Yukon. In total, the territory will be provided over $15.7 million this year through the fund. The funding, which flows through the territorial government to all of its communities, is now available to support local infrastructure projects.
Based on previous years, GTF funding supports approximately 50 local infrastructure projects across Yukon each year.
Some examples of the projects being funded this year include upgrades to the fire suppression system in the St. Elias Convention Centre in the Village of Haines Junction, and asphalt resurfacing of Fourth Avenue in the City of Whitehorse. Teslin Tlingit Council also has plans to purchase a new 28-passenger bus. The range of planned projects helps demonstrate the flexibility that the GTF provides.
The two Gas Tax Fund installments for this year are in addition to funds flowing to Yukon under the Investing in Canada plan.
Quotes
"Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, communities across Yukon and the rest of Canada can direct federal funding to the infrastructure projects that address the most pressing needs of local residents and businesses, from improving drinking water to building new recreational facilities. The Government of Canada is proud to deliver this predictable, long-term funding to help ensure access to good jobs, increased mobility, greater economic opportunities, sustainable communities and a high quality of life for all Canadians."
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi,
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"The great thing about the Gas Tax Fund is that it allows Yukon communities to build local solutions to local problems. The result is healthy, sustainable communities that benefit from the jobs and economic opportunities that these projects create."
The Honourable John Streicker,
Minister of Community Services, Government of Yukon
Quick Facts
- Since the program was first introduced in 2005, over $159 million has been provided to Yukon communities through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
- The federal Gas Tax Fund makes over $2 billion available each year, and through it provides each community across Canada with a permanent, predictable and indexed source of long-term funding. The funding is made available in two annual installments, in July and November.
- The federal Gas Tax Fund offers significant flexibility. Local communities can make strategic investments across 18 different project categories, including roads and bridges, public transit, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and recreational facilities. Communities can use the funds immediately for priority projects, bank the funds for later use, pool the dollars with other communities for shared infrastructure projects or use it to finance major infrastructure expenditures.
- The Government of Canada will invest 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.
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Backgrounder
Federal Gas Tax Allocations for Yukon Communities in 2017-18
Last month, the Government of Canada delivered the first of two annual $7.8 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to Yukon. In total, the territory will be provided over $15.7 million this year through the fund. The funding, which flows through the territorial government to all of its communities, is now available to support local infrastructure projects.
The following table indicates this year's federal Gas Tax Fund allocation for Yukon's communities.
| Location |
Federal Funding |
| Carcross/Tagish First Nation |
$281,503 |
| Village of Carmacks |
$225,715 |
| Champagne and Aishihik First Nations |
$437,894 |
| City of Dawson |
$790,161 |
| Town of Faro |
$225,715 |
| Village of Haines Junction |
$451,536 |
| Kluane First Nation |
$159,093 |
| Kwanlin Dün First Nation |
$340,584 |
| Liard First Nation |
$391,556 |
| Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation |
$247,908 |
| Village of Mayo |
$225,715 |
| First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun |
$231,690 |
| Ross River Dena Council |
$228,214 |
| Selkirk First Nation |
$264,126 |
| Ta'an Kwäch'än Council |
$195,391 |
| Teslin Tlingit Council |
$296,949 |
| Village of Teslin |
$225,715 |
| Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in |
$346,762 |
| Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation |
$305,058 |
| Town of Watson Lake |
$790,161 |
| White River First Nation |
$134,766 |
| City of Whitehorse |
$7,568,558 |
| Unincorporated Communities |
$1,081,220 |
For more information on the Gas Tax Fund, please visit:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html
For more information on the federal Gas Tax Fund in Yukon, please visit:
http://www.infrastructure.gov.yk.ca/gtf_news.html
Associated links
Federal infrastructure investments in Yukon
Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Kate Monfette: Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-301-0894, [email protected]; Amanda Couch: Communications, Community Services, 867-332-4188, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada: 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected]
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