Nunavut communities to benefit from federal Gas Tax Fund transfer

News release

Nunavut communities to benefit from federal Gas Tax Fund transfer
First of two installments delivered to support local infrastructure priorities

August 10, 2017 Iqaluit, Nunavut Infrastructure Canada

Modern and up-to-date community infrastructure helps connect people to jobs and provides access to better community services, attracts new businesses and creates economic growth.

In July, the Government of Canada delivered the first of two annual $7.8 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to Nunavut. In total, the Territory will be provided with over $15.7 million this year through the fund. The funding, which flows through the territorial government, is now available to support community infrastructure projects.

Currently, the federal Gas Tax Fund supports 19 infrastructure projects across 15 communities in Nunavut.

Nunavut’s focus for GTF funding is on water, wastewater and solid waste projects that will increase the health and well-being of Nunavummiut, and protect the sensitive Arctic environment. For example, the Hamlet of Igloolik water reservoir will be upgraded through a $10.3 million project, and a new water truck fill station will be constructed in Coral Harbour to accommodate population growth.

The two GTF installments for this year are in addition to funds flowing to Nunavut under the Investing in Canada plan.

Quotes

"Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, communities across Nunavut and the rest of Canada can direct federal funding to the infrastructure projects that address the most pressing needs of local residents and businesses, from improving drinking water to building new recreational facilities. The Government of Canada is proud to deliver this predictable, long-term funding to help ensure access to good jobs, increased mobility, greater economic opportunities, sustainable communities and a high quality of life for all Canadians."

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi,
Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"Over the years, the Gas Tax Fund has provided Nunavut with reliable, multi-year funding to build and revitalize infrastructure initiatives that support economic growth and strong communities. Our projects help build capacity and are centred around initiatives to address drinking water, wastewater and solid waste. We are pleased to receive these first two installments that enable us to continue our work to ensure the health and well-being of Nunavummiut."

The Honorable Joe Savikataaq,
Minister of Community and Government Services

Quick facts

• Since the program was first introduced in 2005, over $159 million has been provided to Nunavut communities through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
• The federal Gas Tax Fund makes over $2 billion available each year, and through it provides each community across Canada with a permanent, predictable and indexed source of long-term funding. The funding is made available in two annual installments, in July and November.
• The federal Gas Tax Fund offers significant flexibility. Local communities can make strategic investments across 18 different project categories, including roads and bridges, public transit, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and recreational facilities. Communities can use the funds immediately for priority projects, bank the funds for later use, pool the dollars with other communities for shared infrastructure projects or use it to finance major infrastructure expenditures.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

Related product

Federal Gas Tax Allocations for Nunavut Communities in 2017-18: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2017/08/backgrounder_nunavutcommunitiestobenefitfromfederalgastaxfundtra.html

Associated links

Federal infrastructure investments in Nunavut

The federal Gas Tax Fund

Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada’s $180-billion+ infrastructure plan

Government of Nunavut – Community Infrastructure

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Contacts

Kate Monfette
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-301-0894
@email

Rosemary Boyd
Manager, Policy and Legislation
Government of Nunavut
867-975-5354
@email

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
@email

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

Backgrounder

This month, the Government of Canada delivered the first of two annual $7.8 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to Nunavut. In total, the Territory will be provided over $15.7 million this year through the fund. The funding, which flows through the territorial government, is now available to support community infrastructure projects.

The following table indicates this year’s federal Gas Tax Fund allocation for Nunavut’s communities.

*The City of Iqaluit receives 15 per cent of the total funds allocated to Nunavut annually under an ultimate recipient agreement with Nunavut.

For more information on the federal Gas Tax Fund, please visit: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gtf-fte-eng.html

For more information on Administrative Agreement on the federal Gas Tax Fund: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/agreements-ententes/gtf-fte/2014-nu-eng.html

For more information on community infrastructure in Nunavut, please visit: http://www.buildingnunavut.com