Brantford, (April 3, 2009) – Brant MP Phil McColeman made public today plans by the federal government to accelerate gas tax funding to the City of Brantford and the County of Brant.  "This is about, cutting red tape, getting shovels in the ground sooner, and getting Canadians back to work,” said McColeman.
 
Ongoing federal gas tax transfers to the provinces and territories for municipal infrastructure doubled on April 1, 2009 to a total of $2 billion a year.  The federal government is accelerating the first instalment of the Gas Tax Fund, almost three months earlier than planned. 

Brantford`s share of Gas Tax Funding for 2009 is $5, 615, 919.  The City will receive an accelerated payment of $2, 807, 959 in April.

Brant County`s share of Gas Tax Funding for 2009 is $2, 058, 050.  The County will receive an early payment of $1, 029, 025.

Last year, in response to ongoing requests for stable, long-term funding, the Government announced in Budget 2008 that the Gas Tax Fund will be extended at $2 billion per year beyond 2013-14 and become a permanent measure. This will allow all municipalities, both large and small, to better plan and finance their infrastructure needs. A permanent $2-billion-per-year Gas Tax Fund will also help deliver action on infrastructure which will help to create jobs in every region of the country.

The Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan is launching one of the largest infrastructure building projects in our country's history by accelerating and expanding the existing federal investment of $33 billion in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years.