Municipalities ready to rebuild local economies through increased infrastructure funding.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 26, 2021
St. John’s, NL – Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador is thrilled with the federal government’s announcement to double the municipal Gas Tax Fund transfer for one year, growing it by $2.2 billion for community infrastructure. That means an extra $30 million for municipal infrastructure in this province.
Re-named the Canada Community Building Fund, it recognizes the important role municipalities play in Canada’s post-COVID recovery by re-building local economies.
Responsible for 60 per cent of the public infrastructure, municipalities need this injection of funding to start new projects, support ongoing ones and create much needed employment opportunities in their communities. Funding through the Canada Community Building Fund can provide for more broadband, better roads and bridges, improve critical water and wastewater infrastructure, upgrade recreation centres and support solutions to climate change challenges. Municipal leaders in this province asked for a doubling of the Gas Tax Fund in a 2019 resolution and stand ready to turn this opportunity into jobs and improve the lives of their fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Alongside FCM, MNL has been advocating that partnerships and leadership are key to economic growth. We thank them, and we thank our federal colleagues for their support and collaboration.
“The flexibility built into the Canada Community Building fund is invaluable. Giving municipalities the freedom to invest in their own individual communities’ needs will be critical for fast, effective economic recovery,” says Craig Pollett, CEO of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador.
-30-
Deatra Walsh – Director of Advocacy and Communications
Cell: 709-986-2771 – email: dwalsh@municipalnl.ca
Gail Woodfine – Communications and Public Relations Coordinator
Cell: 709-725-1440 – email: gwoodfine@municipalnl.ca
Contact MNL by mail at 79 Mews Place, St. John’s, NL A1B 4N2