New Infrastructure Funding Will Help Address Critical Roads and Bridges Needs for Small, Rural and Northern Municipalities

TORONTO, April 26, 2013 /CNW/ - The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) lauds the Government of Ontario's $100 million infrastructure fund for small, rural and Northern municipalities.

"Building and maintaining roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure is essential to the future prosperity and safety of Ontario's communities," said AMO President Russ Powers. "Permanent and predictable funding for roads and bridges has been a top municipal priority".

Municipalities own about 65 per cent of Ontario's infrastructure - more than any other order of government. In 2008, the Province and AMO jointly estimated that municipalities face an infrastructure gap of about $60 billion.

AMO also looks forward to further consultation on the components of a permanent program for roads, bridges and critical infrastructure investments for these municipalities.

Property taxes alone cannot fund the level of infrastructure investment and maintenance that's needed to keep our residents and the economy moving.

"Federal, provincial and municipal governments all recognize that Ontario faces real infrastructure challenges and all three orders of government need to work together to address them", said Russ Powers, President of AMO. "This new fund is a positive step forward".

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments.  AMO supports and enhances strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada's political system.

SOURCE: Association of Municipalities of Ontario

Brian Lambie, AMO Media Contact, 416-729-5425, [email protected]
Follow AMO on Twitter: @AMOPolicy