Video demonstrates investment of Canada's Gas Tax Fund in Goderich

GODERICH, ON, Nov. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) today released a video that celebrates investment of Canada's Gas Tax Fund in the Town of Goderich. The Town has a Master Plan to guide rebuilding efforts and chart the course for its future thanks in part to Canada's Gas Tax Fund. Watch the video on AMO's website.

"The federal Gas Tax Fund helped Goderich fund the planning process that is getting our Town back to normal," said Deb Shewfelt, Mayor of the Town of Goderich. "The Plan meets our short-term and long-term needs."

The Town led an initiative to create the Master Plan after a tornado ripped through its historic downtown in August 2011. While funds from other sources were available to rebuild after the tornado, funds to plan for it were not.

The Town of Goderich invested more than $120,000 from the federal Gas Tax Fund into the Plan which sets out a path to rebuild damaged infrastructure and also provides a long-term vision for future growth. The Plan is now in action and rebuilding efforts are ongoing with help from the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP) and private sector donations and investments.

"In the aftermath of the tornado, Goderich understood that the way forward for the community was going to take not only effort, but a vision," said Russ Powers, AMO President. "The federal Gas Tax Fund was a ready source of funding that the Town has used to build a path to long-term sustainability and residents will benefit from the Master Plan for years to come."

Canada's Gas Tax Fund is the only permanent and stable source of funding for municipal infrastructure. It provides Ontario municipalities with $746 million per year. AMO delivers the Fund to all Ontario municipalities, except Toronto, twice a year, on a per capita basis. It is invested in infrastructure that makes our communities safer, more efficient and prosperous.  You can learn more about the Gas Tax Fund in Ontario by visiting www.gastaxatwork.ca or @GasTaxinOntario on Twitter.

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