Supporting communities across Nova Scotia

HALIFAX, NS, June 11, 2020 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is taking decisive action to support communities and stabilize the economy across Canada, while first and foremost ensuring that the health and safety of all Canadians are protected during this COVID-19 pandemic.  

Today, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Catherine McKenna announced that Nova Scotia has received more than $55 million through the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) for the 2020–21 fiscal year to fund its most pressing infrastructure needs.

The GTF provides communities with stable and flexible funding for their infrastructure priorities across a wide range of categories. Examples of previous projects include two new buses for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality fleet which provided much needed capacity and accessibility for residents. The buses make for a more sustainable, and efficient system for the communities it serves. Improvements to the North East Point Boardwalk in the Municipality of Barrington has helped attract more businesses, tourists, and residents to the area. The District of Lunenburg has created a multi-faceted day-park that will allow residents to spend time outdoors and support healthy and active lifestyles. 

By enabling communities to plan for their current and future needs, and build or improve the infrastructure that will help them thrive through any circumstance, the GTF is a critical tool that will help ensure Nova Scotia remains among the best places in the world to live for generations to come.

The Government of Canada will be announcing new measures in the coming weeks and months to help Canadian communities get back on their feet and make them even more resilient in the future.

Quotes

"Our Government is making immediate investments in infrastructure that will play a vital role in helping municipalities and First Nations communities revive their economies, and will improve the lives of Canadians. As a first step, we are accelerating this year's payment through the federal Gas Tax Fund. In partnership with Nova Scotia, this will put more than $55.8 million in the hands of 49 communities to improve local infrastructure such as drinking water systems, accessible transportation, and recreation centres."

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Modern, reliable infrastructure is the foundation for healthy and vibrant communities. I am pleased that through the Gas Tax Fund, municipalities can invest in public infrastructure that addresses local priorities. These last several months have been hard on Nova Scotia's economy. Receiving this funding in one transfer, instead of two, will allow municipalities to kick start projects that will contribute to economic growth and job creation across Nova Scotia."

The Honourable Chuck Porter, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Nova Scotia

Quick Facts

• The federal Gas Tax Fund is a long-term indexed source of funding for over 3,600 communities across the country. In recent years it has supported thousands of projects annually.
• The federal Gas Tax Fund has 18 project eligibility categories, including capacity building, sport infrastructure and roads. Communities can 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.

Related product

Backgrounder

Nova Scotia's 2020‒21 federal Gas Tax Fund allocations

The Government of Canada is providing more than $55.8 million under the GTF to Nova Scotia. This includes over $55 million for the following 49 municipalities, and the remainder of the funds will go towards program administration.

Ultimate Recipient	Allocation 2020‒21 ($)
Amherst	672,374
Annapolis Royal	53,918
Antigonish	320,765
Berwick	153,052
Bridgewater	664,873
Cape Breton	6,463,506
Clark's Harbour	44,193
Digby	166,386
Halifax	25,341,890
Kentville	441,350
Lockeport	38,736
Lunenburg	199,958
Mahone Bay	81,850
Middleton	142,099
Mulgrave	58,730
Municipality of Annapolis	846,949
Municipality of Antigonish	644,846
Municipality of Argyle	339,537
Municipality of Barrington	333,572
Municipality of Chester	599,418
Municipality of Clare	368,049
Municipality of Colchester	1,653,690
Municipality of Cumberland	1,154,658
Municipality of Digby	364,665
Municipality of Guysborough	329,849
Municipality of Hants East	1,092,472
Municipality of Inverness	682,778
Municipality of Kings	2,135,274
Municipality of Lunenburg	1,112,740
Municipality of Pictou	1,045,944
Municipality of Richmond	475,057
Municipality of Shelburne	244,311
Municipality of St. Mary's	138,770
Municipality of Victoria	424,318
Municipality of Yarmouth	482,018
New Glasgow	770,510
Oxford	88,466
Pictou	217,126
Port Hawkesbury	230,807
Region of Queens	671,655
Region of Windsor and West Hants Municipality	970,936
Shelburne	129,260
Stellarton	331,692
Stewiacke	79,302
Trenton	149,592
Truro	995,120
Westville	223,133
Wolfville	322,021
Yarmouth	555,272

Associated links

Prime Minister announces support to help communities create jobs and restart the economy: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/06/01/prime-minister-announces-support-help-communities-create-jobs-and

Government of Canada Resources - Coronavirus disease (COVID 19): www.canada.ca/coronavirus

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

Federal Gas Tax Fund in Nova Scotia: https://www.novascotia.ca/dma/funding/infrastructure/gas-tax-fund.asp

Federal infrastructure investments in Nova Scotia: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/pt-sp/ns-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Chantalle Aubertin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-949-1759, [email protected]; Krista Higdon, Media Relations Advisor, Municipal Affairs and Housing, Office: 902-722-1461, Cell: 902-220-6619, [email protected]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [email protected]

Related Links

www.infrastructure.gc.ca