Transfer of a portion of the federal Gas Tax Fund and a contribution from the Government of Quebec
QUÉBEC CITY, March 19, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Sam Hamad, Quebec Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale Region, on behalf of Robert Poëti, Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister Responsible for the Montréal Region, accompanied by Mr. Régis Labeaume, Mayor of Québec City, announced $79,129,341 in funding for public transit in Québec. This amount is funded under the federal Gas Tax Fund and a contribution from the Government of Quebec.
The funding announced today will allow the Réseau de transport de la Capitale to upgrade and acquire public transit infrastructure and equipment such as buses, garages and terminals, reserved bus lanes, park-and-ride lots and intelligent transportation systems in Québec City.
The allocation from the federal Gas Tax Fund and the Government of Quebec's contribution will provide transportation agencies and authorities with long-term, stable and predictable funding.
The federal Gas Tax Fund was extended and doubled to $2 billion per year, indexed at 2% annually and legislated as a permanent source of federal infrastructure funding for municipalities.
Over the next five years, transportation agencies and authorities in Quebec will receive $983.1 million for infrastructure and equipment improvements, with $485.5 million coming from the federal Gas Tax Fund and $497.6 million from the Government of Quebec's contribution.
Quebec's contribution consists of revenue generated by the higher registration fees levied on vehicles with heavy-duty engines and revenue from the Fonds des réseaux de transport terrestre (FORT). This funding is in addition to investments planned by the Quebec government under various other public transit programs totalling $1.3 billion for 2014–2015.
Quick Facts
- The objective of the new federal Gas Tax Fund agreement between Canada and Quebec is to provide funding for the renewal of municipal and local infrastructure in the context of sustainable development.
- The Government of Canada will provide the Government of Quebec with nearly $2.4 billion for infrastructure renewal, under the federal Gas Tax Fund, including $485.5 million for public transit infrastructure and equipment, over a five-year period.
- The Government of Quebec will allocate nearly $1.3 billion in funding over a five-year period, including nearly $497.6 million for public transit infrastructure and equipment.
- The funding from the federal Gas Tax Fund, together with a portion of Quebec's contribution, will be administered by the Société de financement des infrastructures locales du Québec (SOFIL).
Quotes
"The federal Gas Tax fund supports economic growth from coast to coast and will help ensure the quality of life in Canadian communities remains among the best in the world. Our government is proud to be providing public transportation agencies with predictable, long-term funding to help them build and revitalize their infrastructure while creating jobs and fostering long-term prosperity."
The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
"The future of public transit depends first and foremost on maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure and equipment. With a view to sustainable mobility, we are investing today to ensure benefits for tomorrow; we are contributing to a more mobile population while reducing traffic congestion and its associated effects."
Sam Hamad, Quebec Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister responsible for the National Capital Region, on behalf of Robert Poëti, Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister Responsible for the Montréal Region
"This government investment will further enhance the City's ongoing efforts, in line with our sustainable mobility plan, and will allow us to pursue additional improvements to the delivery of public transit services in Québec City through the purchase of new buses and the updating of other infrastructure."
Régis Labeaume, Mayor of Québec City
Related Links
To learn more about the federal Gas Tax Fund, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html
To view the new Gas Tax Fund Administrative Agreement between Canada and Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/agreements-ententes/gtf-fte/2014-qc-eng.html
Programme d'aide aux immobilisations en transport en commun (financial assistance program for public transit) of the Société de financement des infrastructures locales du Québec (SOFIL) and associated terms and conditions: http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/partenairesprives/entreprisesservicestransportroutier/programmes-aide/Pages/Transport-collectif-personnes-SOFIL.aspx
SOURCE Cabinet du ministre des Transports
Vincent Rabault, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, 613-943-1838; Valérie Rodrigue, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Transport and Minister Responsible for the Montreal Region, 418-643-6980; Salim Idrissi, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale Region, 418-643-5297; David O'Brien, Communications Advisor, City of Québec, 418-641-6210; Communications Directorate, Quebec Department of Transport, Quebec City: 418-644-4444, Montreal: 514-873-5600, Toll-free: 1-866-341-5724; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll-free: 1-877-250-7154, E-mail: [email protected], Twitter: @INFC_eng , Web Site: Infrastructure Canada
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