Ontario Municipalities Receive First Federal Gas Tax Fund Payment of 2016

TORONTO, July 26, 2016 /CNW/ - The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has transferred the first of two 2016 payments of federal Gas Tax funds to Ontario municipalities. In 2016 AMO will administer more than $600 million from the Fund to invest in local infrastructure.

"The federal Gas Tax Fund is helping to build strong communities across Ontario," said Gary McNamara, AMO President. "AMO's unique arrangement with the Government of Canada has resulted in safer roads and bridges, more public transit and a decrease in Ontario's annual energy demand."

You can find out exactly where the federal Gas Tax Fund is invested in your community by using the mapping tool at www.gastaxatwork.ca. To find individual municipal allocations, visit bit.ly/AMOGasTax.  

This year, municipal governments are realizing the benefits of Gas Tax Fund indexation as allocations increase by roughly 5 per cent. Indexation ensures that the Fund grows over time so that it keeps pace with increases in the cost of living and the cost to do business. The ultimate result is more dollars being invested into critical local infrastructure that helps keep our communities safe, up to date and prosperous.

"The federal Gas Tax Fund provides predictable, long-term funding to help Canadian municipalities build and revitalize public infrastructure while creating jobs and long-term prosperity," said the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. "By working in partnership with Ontario municipalities, we help build 21st century communities while creating good, well-paying jobs that help the middle class grow and prosper."

Since its launch in 2005, municipalities across Ontario have invested more than $4.3 billion of federal Gas Tax funds into 6,700 infrastructure projects worth more than $11.9 billion.

The federal Gas Tax Fund is one of the only permanent and stable sources of funding for municipal infrastructure and is helping to close a province-wide infrastructure gap. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) delivers the Fund to all Ontario municipalities, except Toronto, twice a year, on a per capita basis. Funds can be invested into infrastructure from 16 different project categories, or can be used for capacity building projects that contribute to strategic asset management and long-term planning. This flexible approach means federal funding can address the diverse needs found in all of Ontario's municipalities.

SOURCE Association of Municipalities of Ontario

For further information: Brian Lambie, AMO Media Contact, 416-729-5425, [e-mail]; Follow AMO on Twitter: @AMOPolicy