Building stronger communities across Nunavut with federal Gas Tax Fund

First of two annual funding transfers now available for the territory

IQALUIT, NU, Aug. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - Investing in local infrastructure supports the unique needs of northern communities. The governments of Canada and Nunavut are investing in modern public infrastructure that will help create jobs, while improving Northern Canadians' quality of life and contributing to stronger communities.

The Government of Canada delivered the first of two $8.25-million annual installments of the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) to Nunavut. In total, the territory will be provided with over $16.5 million this year through the fund.

The GTF is a long-term, indexed source of funding that supports local infrastructure projects across the Territory each year. The City of Iqaluit is planning to put its share into rehabilitating and upgrading roadways and drainage systems to improve road safety and protect the environment. In the Hamlet of Kimmirut, residents will enjoy higher quality drinking water thanks to an improved water treatment system. In Coral Harbour, the funding will go towards replacing the original lighting on the arena with solar panels to reduce energy dependency and carbon dioxide emissions.

Roads, drinking water and community energy systems are only three of the 18 project categories eligible for funding under the program. This wide range demonstrates the flexibility of the GTF in allowing communities to direct their allocations to their most pressing local needs.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to deliver this stable long-term funding that northern communities count on to develop and maintain their public infrastructure. By investing in infrastructure at the local level, the Government of Canada is supporting the unique needs of these communities, ensuring public health and improving the quality of life for Nunavummiut."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Developing our infrastructure for the benefit and well-being of our people, our communities and our land is a Turaaqtavut priority. This long-term source of funding will help increase effective planning for the delivery of infrastructure projects and support our ongoing commitment to address Nunavut's infrastructure deficit as we continue to work with municipalities to build resilient communities."

The Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Minister of Community and Government Services

Quick Facts

• The two federal Gas Tax Fund installments for this year flow to communities through the territorial government under the Investing in Canada plan.
• Communities can invest across 18 different project categories. They can also 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.
• Through its Investing in Canada plan, 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.

Related product

2018-2019 federal Gas Tax Fund allocations in Nunavut by community:

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Backgrounder

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Nunavut's 2018-19 federal Gas Tax Fund allocations

The Government of Canada delivered the first of two annual $8.25-million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to Nunavut. The funding will flow through the territorial government to support local community infrastructure projects. In total, the GTF will provide over $16.5 million this year for local infrastructure projects. 

2018-19 GTF allocations per community¹

Ultimate Recipient	Allocation 2018-19
Government of Nunavut	$13,175,000
Government of Nunavut (Capacity Building projects)	$315,000
City of Iqaluit*	$2,362,500

*The City of Iqaluit receives approximately 15 per cent of the total funds allocated to Nunavut annually under an ultimate recipient agreement with Nunavut.

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¹ Amounts exclude administrative costs.

Associated links

Investing in Canada, Canada's long-term infrastructure plan

Federal infrastructure investments in Nunavut

The federal Gas Tax Fund

The federal Gas Tax Fund in Nunavut

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

For further information: Kate Monfette, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, 613-301-0894, [e-mail]; Aramide (Lola) Owoaje, Manager, Policy and Legislation, Government of Nunavut, 867- 975-5354, [e-mail]; Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, [e-mail]

Related Links

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/