Canada's New Government and New Brunswick Transfer $221,354 from the Gas Tax Fund to the Communities of New Maryland, Chipman and Millville

New Maryland, New Brunswick, July 17, 2007 - The municipalities of New Maryland, Chipman and Millville in central New Brunswick will be able to undertake substantial improvements to local infrastructure 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.

Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, Mike Allen, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne made the announcement today. In total this summer, 21 New Brunswick municipalities will benefit from the first installment of gas tax funding.

"Canada's New Government is moving forward on its commitment to support environmentally sustainable infrastructure in communities across Canada," said Mr. Allen. "Central New Brunswick communities will be able to proceed with infrastructure projects that have a direct impact on the economy, the environment and the health of communities thanks to this investment by Canada's New Government."

"Improving local infrastructure is a priority for New Brunswick," said Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne on behalf of Local Government Minister Victor Boudreau. "This funding will give municipalities the opportunity to address local infrastructure needs and to improve the quality of life of residents while providing them with a healthy environment. We recognize that municipalities have a crucial role to play in the economic development of the province, and assisting them in building and maintaining safe and adequate infrastructure is another step in attaining self-sufficiency as a province."

The Government of Canada is providing $116 million over five years to New Brunswick through the Gas Tax Fund, and the province is adding $30 million in top-up funding. In total, $146 million will be provided to communities from 2005 to 2010 for investment in environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure.

The Gas Tax Fund is part of the "Building Canada" infrastructure plan. In Budget 2007, Canada's New Government announced an unprecedented $33-billion "Building Canada" infrastructure plan to provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. "Building Canada" will support a stronger, safer and healthier country, through infrastructure projects that support cleaner air and water, a stronger economy, and a better quality of life for our communities.

New Brunswick communities will be using these funds for environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects such as: clean water, wastewater, community-energy systems, solid-waste management, public transit, capacity building and transportation. In the case of these three communities, the money will go toward wastewater and water projects, as well as active transportation infrastructure categories.

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

Today's announcement follows a similar one made late last year where more than $2 million was transferred to 20 other New Brunswick communities.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A list of projects follows.

For further information contact:

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

Marie-Josée Groulx
Communications, Local Government
506-453-3700

Infrastructure Canada
Communications and Promotion
613-948-1148

List of Projects:

Chipman - $52,524
The Village of Chipman will undertake projects under the wastewater and active transportation infrastructure categories.

Millville - $11,700
The Village of Millville will undertake projects under the active transportation infrastructure category.

New Maryland - $157,130
The Village of New Maryland will undertake projects under the wastewater and water categories.