Government of Canada Invests $17.4 Million In Infrastructure

Nova Scotia communities have $17.4 million this year to invest in environmental projects such as water, wastewater, public transit, community energy, roads and bridges with the gas-tax agreement payments from the government of Canada.

Nova Scotia communities can use the investment, announced today, Dec. 21, for infrastructure projects that demonstrate they will enhance environmental sustainability. Nova Scotia has now received $34.8 million in federal gas-tax funding that helps support more than 55 water and wastewater projects throughout Nova Scotia.

"The government of Canada is proud to provide this funding that is helping Nova Scotia's communities meet their infrastructure needs," said Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities. "The government is fully committed to working co-operatively with the provinces and territories to build a stronger economy, a healthy environment, and safe and secure communities for Canadian families."

Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, said the value of the investments go far beyond their dollar amounts.

"It shows our government's commitment to ongoing infrastructure improvements that will enhance the lives of all Nova Scotians," Mr. Muir said.

"Investing in municipal infrastructure is necessary to ensure that the highest quality of living is available to our citizens," said Russell Walker, president of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

The Canada-Nova Scotia Agreement on the Transfer of Federal Gas Tax Revenues is worth $145 million over five years.

Federal gas tax funding builds on the government of Canada's infrastructure programs, such as the recent announcement of a $37.5-million investment in Nova Scotia's public transit systems, as well as the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, with the three levels of governments putting $111 million into the province's municipal infrastructure.

In Budget 2006, federal support for provincial, territorial and municipal infrastructure totalled $16.5 billion over the next four years, an unprecedented level of support for infrastructure in Canada.