The City of Guelph will receive a nice chunk of change for infrastructure renewal through the Government of Canada’s first installment of the annual Gas Tax Fund.
That first installment for Guelph will amount to slightly under $7.4 million, part of the $779 million being allocated to Ontario communities this year.
According to a press release from the office of Lloyd Longfield, Guelph member of Parliament, the federal government is eager to see “smart investments” in local infrastructure. Better roads, transit, and water systems are good for local communities.
A pot of money amounting to over $2 billion each year, the Gas Tax Fund provides predictable, long-term funding to help Canadian municipalities revitalize public infrastructure, the release states.
“This year, Guelph will receive over $340,000 more than in previous years,” Longfield stated. “This investment provides the City of Guelph with flexible, predictable funding to address a range of needs in our community.”
Liz Sandals, Guelph's provincial representative, said the federal funding is welcome support that builds on the $332 million in gas tax funding already committed by the Ontario government.
“This dedicated funding is essential for municipalities like Guelph, which has received over $29 million since 2004 in provincial Gas Tax funding, to be able to plan and develop long-term infrastructure projects,” Sandals stated.
Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie said our city is an old one with old infrastructure that needs to be replaced and upgraded. Infrastructure largely goes unnoticed, but it impacts nearly every aspect of our lives. He said city council appreciates the federal government’s investment.
