Federal Infrastructure Investments to Provide Jobs, Boost Local Economies and Improve Quality

May 08, 2009

SPRUCE GROVE, ALBERTA May 8, 2009 – Families and workers in Parkland County, Spruce Grove and Stony Plain will soon see faster improvements to roads, public transit and other local infrastructure thanks to the Conservative government’s doubling of Gas Tax transfers to municipalities, said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Spruce Grove and Minister of Labour, today at the Transalta Tri Leisure Centre.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is doubling the annual funding that municipalities like Parkland County, Spruce Grove and Stony Plain receive as part of the Gas Tax Fund,” said Minister Ambrose. “This increased investment will total almost $3.5 million for the region in 2009 and will help create jobs, boost sales for local businesses and improve the quality of life for families during this challenging economic time.”

The Conservative government doubled the federal Gas Tax transfers to the provinces and municipalities as of April 1, 2009, and will provide a total of $2 billion per year for municipalities to invest in projects like new roads, water treatment plants, improved buses and transit systems, as well as better sewers and bridges.

“We are very grateful to the Federal Government for the Gas Tax transfer to municipalities,” said Parkland County Mayor Rob Wiedeman. “It’s proof of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure municipalities are sustainable for the future.”

“The promise of stable, predictable funding for infrastructure will help us ensure that we continue to enjoy the exceptional quality of life that we have come to expect living in Spruce Grove,” said Spruce Grove Mayor Stuart Houston.

“Municipalities have been hard hit during the downturn in our economy and the doubling of the gas tax is certainly welcome news,” said Stony Plain Mayor Ken Lemke. “We are grateful for the support from our federal government and hope to see revenue growth in the future.”

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Conservative government is building on the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over the next two years.

“The federal Gas Tax Fund delivers tangible results for communities that Albertans use and depend on every day,” said Minister Ambrose. “From coast to coast, the Government of Canada is proud to work with our partners to create jobs today and pave the way for growth and prosperity in the future.”