UBCM Applauds Federal Budget Extension of Gas Tax Funding
By Union of BC Municipalities
VICTORIA - The federal Budget announcement to extend Gas Tax funding by four years is great news for British Columbia's local governments, said UBCM President Brenda Binnie.
"We asked for more certainty and predictability in gas tax funding to assist local government planning and the federal government has responded by nearly doubling the timeline of the initial agreement" said President Binnie. "That means another $1 billion in additional infrastructure investments for BC local governments."
The federal Budget extension of the funding commitment for Gas Tax transfer for four years means another $2 billion a year for green infrastructure investment across Canada. Under the current agreement, BC local governments will receive $245 million in the final year. Assuming BC’s share continues for another four years at that level, BC local governments will receive nearly $1 billion in added investments for clean air, clean water and greenhouse gas reductions.
"The extended funding agreement will allow us to build on the $254.8 million that has already been or will be distributed to local governments during the first two years of the program" said President Binnie. Gas Tax funding has contributed to a diverse range of projects throughout British Columbia, including 225 clean diesel buses for Greater Vancouver, a bio-filtration process for sewage in Cowichan Valley Regional District, trail and walkway improvements in Kimberly, a UV water disinfection system in Qualicum Beach and a geothermal system in Salmon Arm to heat public buildings.
