The Governments of Canada and Quebec Provide the Municipality of Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré with a First Payment of $227,915 from the Transfer of a Portion of the Federal Gasoline Tax Revenues and the Government of Quebec's Contribution

Lachute, Quebec, July 28, 2008 - The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, and the Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for the Laurentides Region, David Whissell, on behalf of the Deputy Premier and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions, Nathalie Normandeau, announced today that the Municipality of Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré will receive $227,915 under the federal-provincial agreement on the transfer of a portion of federal gasoline excise tax revenues and the Government of Quebec’s contribution. This is the first payment for Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré which will receive a total of $569,788 by the end of 2009 for important infrastructure projects.

The Municipality of Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré will use its funds to evaluate and optimize the operation of the wastewater sanitary drainage works, prepare an intervention plan that will be used to determine the structural state of its water distribution system and replace the watermains or sewage pipes under de l’Église, de la Gare, Airville Nord, Sud and Principale streets.

“The funding announced today to the Municipality of Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré, under the Gas Tax Fund agreement, is a concrete example of the Government of Canada’s commitment to support a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and more prosperous communities in Quebec,” said Minister Cannon. “In the Government's $33 billion Building Canada Plan, the Gas Tax Fund will provide $11.8 billion nationally from 2007 until 2014. Budget 2008 announced that the Gas Tax Fund will become permanent beyond 2013-14 at $2 billion per year. This ensures municipalities continue to have access to a reliable source of funds as they get on with building the infrastructure they need.”

“The funding announced today is a reflection of our commitment to improve the quality of life of residents. This means the Municipality of Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré will now be able to rely on stable funding, which will facilitate the planning of the work that needs to be done. Another proof that the Government of Quebec recognizes the importance of the sustainability of infrastructure is the recent announcement of the extension of Quebec’s contribution of $1.15 billion for the period ending in March 2015. These investments are part of the Plan québécois des infrastructures that foresees an investment of $30 billion for the 2007-2012 period, of which $3.15 billion will be used to maintain and improve municipal infrastructure. The repair and modernization of public infrastructure is a priority for the Government of Quebec,” said minister Whissell.

The goal of the 2005 Canada-Quebec Agreement is to provide funding for the renewal of municipal and local infrastructure, and specifically for municipal drinking water, wastewater, local road system and public transit infrastructure, within a context of sustainable development. The Government of Canada will provide the Government of Quebec a total of $1.34 billion for the 2005-2009 period, to which Quebec will add $475.7 million, for a grand total of $1.8 billion. Including contributions from municipalities, $2.3 billion will go toward renewing municipal infrastructure. The funds will be administered by the Société de financement des infrastructures locales du Quebec (SOFIL).

Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613 991-0700

Jonathan Trudeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions
418-691-2050

Infrastructure Canada
613 948-1148