Clean Water, New Energy Systems and Better Roads Through Over $2 million in Gas Tax Funding in New Brunswick

• Backgrounder

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Fredericton (CNB), November 30, 2006 - Transport, Infrastructure and Communities minister the Honourable Lawrence Cannon and Local Government minister the Honourable Victor Boudreau announced today that 20 municipalities will be able to carry out important local infrastructure improvements after receiving their first payments under the Canada-New Brunswick Agreement on the Transfer of Federal Gas Tax Revenues and the Provincial Gas Tax Transfer Top-up Fund. This first installment totals over $2 million.

The Government of Canada is providing $116 million to New Brunswick through the Gas Tax Fund and the Province is adding $30 million. In total, $146 million will be provided to communities over five years for investment in environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure. Eligible project categories include water, wastewater, community-energy systems, solid-waste management, public transit, capacity building, and active transportation, including roads and bridges where it can be demonstrated that they will enhance environmental sustainability outcomes.

The municipalities that are benefiting from the funding announced today are Balmoral, Bertrand, Blacks Harbour, Blackville, Campbellton, Caraquet, McAdam, Minto, Neguac, Norton, Petitcodiac, Rothesay, Sackville, Saint-Hilaire, Salisbury, Shippagan, St-Isidore, St. George, St. Stephen, and Tide Head.

"Canada's New Government is proud to partner with the Province of New Brunswick to provide funding that will help cities and communities meet their infrastructure needs and enhance the quality of life for the people of New Brunswick," said Minister Cannon. "We recognize that vital communities are key to the province's progress and that good infrastructure is an important ingredient."

To receive their first payment, each municipality submitted its five-year Capital Investment Plan for review by the Province and signed an agreement contract with the Department of Local Government.

"This funding supports critical investment in local infrastructure, enabling communities to improve services for residents and provide a foundation for enhanced economic development," Minister Boudreau said. "Because of this agreement, each of the province's 102 municipalities can use their share of the gas tax fund to address local infrastructure priorities throughout the province."

EDITOR'S NOTE: A list of projects follows.

For further information contact:

Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700

Communications Directorate
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148

Marie-Josée Groulx
Communications
Local Government
506-457-7202

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Backgrounder

The following municipal projects received funding under the Canada-New Brunswick Agreement on the Transfer of Federal Gas Tax Revenues and the Provincial Gas Tax Transfer Top-up Fund.

Balmoral - $67,341
The Village of Balmoral will undertake projects under the water and wastewater categories.

Bertrand - $46,543
The Village of Bertrand will undertake projects under the community energy systems, wastewater and active transportation infrastructure categories.

Blacks Harbour - $39,685
The Village of Blacks Harbour will undertake projects under the wastewater category.

Blackville - $37,228
The Village of Blackville will undertake projects under the active transportation infrastructure category.

Campbellton - $286,018
The City of Campbellton will undertake projects under the active transportation infrastructure, water and wastewater categories.

Caraquet - $162,925
The Town of Caraquet will undertake projects under the active transportation infrastructure and wastewater categories.

McAdam - $55,494
The Village of McAdam will undertake projects under the water category.

Minto - $101,818
The Village of Minto will undertake projects under the wastewater and active transportation infrastructure categories.

Neguac - $62,242
The Village of Neguac will undertake projects under the active transportation infrastructure, community energy systems and capacity building categories.

Norton - $50,250
The Village of Norton will undertake projects under the active transportation infrastructure, water and wastewater categories.

Petitcodiac - $52,963
The Village of Petitcodiac will undertake projects under the wastewater, community energy systems and active transportation infrastructure categories.

Rothesay - $421,984
The Town of Rothesay will undertake projects under the water and wastewater categories.

Sackville - $196,632
The Town of Sackville will undertake projects under the active transportation infrastructure category.

Saint-Hilaire - $8,692
The Village of Saint-Hilaire will undertake projects under the community energy systems category.

Salisbury - $71,670
The Village of Salisbury will undertake projects under the water and wastewater categories.

Shippagan - $105,339
The Town of Shippagan will undertake projects under the water and wastewater categories.

St-Isidore - $32,167
The Village of St-Isidore will undertake projects under the wastewater category.

St. George - $55,348
The Town of St. George will undertake projects under the water category.

St. Stephen - $171,178
The Town of St. Stephen will undertake projects under the water category.

Tide Head - $42,144
The Village of Tide Head will undertake projects under the water, wastewater and community energy systems categories.