The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island have announced the approval of 13 projects of a total investment of $411,075, and that $240,000 will be set aside to allow the Federation of PEI Municipalities to undertake a number of capacity building projects for the benefit of PEI communities. This funding will assist Island municipalities to further their municipal infrastructure planning. It is being made available through the Capacity Building and Community Fund, a component of the Canada-Prince Edward Island Gas Tax Agreement.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and by the Honourable Carolyn Bertram, provincial Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour.
“Our government understands that it is important for Island municipalities to plan for infrastructure priorities over the long term,” said Minister O’Connor. “Today’s announcement demonstrates how, through our collective investment and partnership, the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are working together to ensure that Island communities continue to prosper and be great places to live for generations to come. Better infrastructure is an important element of that better future.”
“The Capacity Building and Community Fund is a wonderful initiative focused on assisting municipalities in long-term planning and establishing sustainability,” said Minister Bertram. “Our municipal infrastructure has great benefits for the economy, public safety, the environment, and the quality of life for Islanders. The Government of Prince Edward Island is proud to be a part of making these projects a reality.”
Capacity building is an important aspect of the Gas Tax Fund. Municipalities are supported in developing and implementing projects such as integrated community sustainability planning, land use assessments, and studies for municipality-wide services.
“The Gas Tax program is an excellent example of all three orders of government working together to provide modern infrastructure and support capacity building initiatives for the betterment of our cities, towns, and communities. The greatest beneficiaries of these collaborative efforts are the citizens,” said Bruce MacDougall, President of the FPEIM. “Municipalities continue to face challenges, but the gas tax program is making a difference, and it will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. I commend the Government of Canada for making this tremendous program permanent.”
Gas tax funding is available to local governments for infrastructure projects and planning efforts that lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner air or cleaner water. The Gas Tax Agreement is administered in Prince Edward Island by the PEI Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. Representatives from the Federation of PEI Municipalities preside as members on the management committee.
In May 2008, the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island announced the signing of the Building Canada Framework Agreement. With this agreement, the Government of Canada committed to an investment of more than $270 million towards infrastructure needs in Prince Edward Island from 2007 to 2014. On July 14, 2008, a first call was made for projects that could be jointly funded through the Communities Component of the plan. In addition, Budget 2008 announced that the Gas Tax Fund will become permanent beyond 2014, at $2 billion nationally per year. This will provide municipalities with stable funding for their infrastructure needs.
For more information about federal and provincial infrastructure initiatives on Prince Edward Island, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.gov.pe.ca/go/infrastructure.