Gas Tax Funding Supports Sustainable Planning and Infrastructure Across Region

Penticton, British Columbia, December 19, 2008 – Communities within the Regional District of Okanagan - Similkameen (RDOS) will benefit from a $2.48 million investment to support a broad range of sustainable infrastructure and planning projects. The funding is provided to the Regional District of Okanagan - Similkameen and its member municipalities through the federal Gas Tax Fund.

“The Government of Canada recognizes that stable, reliable infrastructure funding delivered at an accelerated rate will create jobs, help our economy and provide a better quality of life for local residents,” said the Honourable Stockwell Day,Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “We are committed to working together with our partners to cut red tape and get shovels in the ground on infrastructure projects that will deliver real results to the people of British Columbia.”

Eighteen projects will be funded in total, 10 of which are capital projects and eight of which are planning initiatives. The projects are located in Keremeos, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, Princeton, and Summerland (see the Backgrounder included below for details on projects, communities and amounts).

Under the Canada-BC-UBCM Agreement on the Transfer of federal Gas Tax revenues, the Gas Tax Fund delivers infrastructure funding to local governments and other eligible recipients primarily for capital projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Funding is also available for planning projects that contribute to the sustainability of communities and regions.

“It’s important that we not forget the needs of our smaller and more rural communities,” said Penticton-Okanagan Valley MLA Bill Barisoff. “These strategic investments will help make our local communities more efficient, more environmentally responsible and will enhance the quality of life for local residents.”

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities administers the Gas Tax Fund in British Columbia in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.

“Communities across British Columbia are facing challenges associated with aging infrastructure in growing populations,” said Union of British Columbia Municipalities President Robert Hobson. “The Union of British Columbia Municipalities appreciates the support provided through the Gas Tax Fund for projects that build community sustainability.”

"The projects that are being funded through the federal Gas Tax program will have a significant impact on all citizens of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen by making our communities greener and more sustainable," said Board Chair Dan Ashton.

Please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or
www.civicnet.bc.ca for background information on the Canada – BC – UBCM Gas Tax Agreement.

For more information:

Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-286-6064

Marc Black
Communications Manager
Ministry of Community Development
250-387-4089

Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
Union of BC Municipalities
250-356-2938

Jennifer Young
Communications Director
City of Vancouver
604-873-7394

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148