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“In Halton Region, Federal Gas Tax revenue funded our new
GreenCart composting program. In 2008 alone, this program collected
18,421 tonnes of organic material helping to divert 60% of residential
waste and extend the life of our landfill by seven
years.”
Gary Carr,
Halton’s Regional Chair
“In The Blue Mountains, federal gas tax revenue funded
new solar powered signage for Thornbury. The project is saving money,
reducing our carbon footprint and raising awareness of practical uses
for renewable energy.”
Adam McMullin,
Environmental Issues Coordinator
“The Federal Gas Tax Fund helped Minden Hills build a
Riverwalk pathway and pedestrian bridge that provides residents and
visitors a convenient, safe means to get active and enjoy our local
landscape.”
Reeve Jim
McMahon
“In Frontenac County, Federal Gas Tax revenue funded an
Integrated Community Sustainability Planning initiative which has
brought residents,
businesses, and community groups together to move toward a sustainable
future.”
Elizabeth Savill, CAO
“In the Town of Collingwood, gas tax funding has enabled us
to purchase three bio-diesel
fully accessible buses and it will help us to build the first LEED gold
certified Library in Eastern Canada.”
Gord Norris, CAO
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The Federal Gas Tax Fund is supporting environmentally sustainable infrastructure
investments right across Ontario.
From Kenora to
Cornwall and Windsor to Wawa, hundreds of Federal Gas Tax funded
projects are creating jobs, improving competitiveness and helping to
protect the environment, each and every year.
Information about gas tax funded projects in your community is
available from your municipality, AMO or Infrastructure
Canada.
What is the Federal Gas Tax Fund?
The Federal Gas Tax
Fund provides municipalities with a portion of federal gas tax revenue
for investments in environmentally sustainable
infrastructure.
Eligible
investments achieve the program’s objectives of cleaner water,
cleaner air, or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Funding can also be
applied to Capacity Building projects that help enhance community
sustainability over the long-term through improvements in municipal
collaboration, knowledge and planning.
The program was
launched in 2005 as a $5 billion commitment over a five year period
(2005-2010). The 2007 Federal Budget extended the program by an
additional $8 billion over four years (2010-2014), and the 2008 Federal
Budget committed to making the Gas Tax Fund permanent at $2 billion
annually starting in 2014.
Ontario’s Unique Agreement
Each province and
territory has its own gas tax agreement with the Government of Canada.
In Ontario, funding flows directly from the Federal Government to AMO
and The City of Toronto, recognizing municipalities as a mature and
accountable order of government. Predictable and populationbased, funds
are distributed twice annually on a per capita basis.
To date, Federal
Gas Tax funding has brought approximately $1.9 billion in infrastructure
investments to Ontario communities. Beginning in the 2009/2010 fiscal
year, this funding increases to approximately $756 million each
year.
Funding is up-front
and predictable, increasing the capacity of communities to address local
priorities and plan for the long-term.
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Types of Projects
Eligible project areas include
public transit systems, safer water and sewer systems, solid waste
management, community energy systems, and investments in local roads and
bridges that offer environmental benefits.In Ontario alone, funding has
already supported more than 1,600 green infrastructure projects, from
GreenCart composting in Halton Region to a traffic roundabout in Grey
County. Municipalities large and small have used funding for a broad
range of interesting and environmentally beneficial investments,
including LEED Certified municipal buildings, storm water management,
public transit systems, solar power, water purification technology,
green roof installation, hybrid vehicles, community bicycle lanes
and energy systems.
Federal Gas Tax News
With hundreds of new investments benefiting from Federal Gas Tax
Funds each year, there are dozens of related stories in every community.
Here are some tips on staying on top of program news and discovering how
funding is being used in your community.
Federal Gas Tax Awards: Each August, Federal Gas Tax
Awards are announced at the Annual AMO Conference. Awards recognize
Ontario municipalities that have demonstrated excellence in the use of
Federal Gas Tax Funds by exemplifying the program’s environmental
and long-term planning objectives. The 2009 Award winners were announced
Tuesday August 18.
Funding Allocations: Funding is distributed to
municipalities twice annually, in July and November, although the first
2009 payment was advanced in April. The amount each municipality
receives is listed on AMO’s website: www.amo.on.ca.
Outcomes Report: Reporting the environmental benefit
of projects – such as kilowatt hours saved, waste diverted and
increased transit ridership – is a requirement of the Federal Gas
Tax Agreement. The outcomes of all projects
completed prior to December 31, 2008 will be listed on the AMO website
this Fall.
AMO Gas Tax Annual Report & Municipal Project
List: The AMO Gas Tax annual report provides a comprehensive
review of the program over the previous year, including a complete
municipal project list. The 2007 report is available on the AMO website,
while the 2008 report will be posted this Fall.
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