The Governments of Canada and Quebec Provide the Municipality of Berthier-sur-Mer With a First Payment of $225,757 From the Transfer of a Portion of the Federal Gas Tax Revenues...

BERTHIER-SUR-MER, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Aug. 13, 2009) - The Minister of Publics Works and Government Services, the Honourable Christian Paradis, along with the MNA for Montmagny-L'Islet and Vice-Chair of the Committe on Planning and the Public Domain, Mr. Norbert Morin, on behalf of the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy and Minister responsible for the regions of Chaudière-Appalaches and Centre-du-Quebec, Mr. Laurent Lessard, are pleased to announce that the Municipality of Berthier-sur-Mer will receive $297,001 under the federal-provincial agreement on the transfer of a portion of federal gasoline tax revenues and the Government of Quebec's contribution. This is the first payment to Berthier-sur-Mer, which will receive a total of $371,253 by the end of 2009 for important infrastructure projects. The Municipality of Berthier-sur-Mer will use the funds to replace one aqueduct line under Road 132 and expand and close the water supply system on Principale East street. The funds will also be used to prepare a response plan for the study and a television inspection of the water lines. "Canada's economic growth is our Government's main focus," said Minister Lebel. "In Canada's Economic Action Plan, we announced funding of close to $12 billion over two years to boost infrastructure investments. This funding is additional to the money already flowing through the Gas Tax Fund, which is now a $2 billion annual commitment to Canada's municipalities. Through our infrastructure commitments, the Government of Canada supports a stronger economy, creates jobs and allows communities in Quebec and in Canada to be more prosperous." "The funding announced today is a reflection of our commitment to improve the quality of life of citizens. This means that the Municipality of Berthier-sur-Mer will now be able to rely on stable funding, which will facilitate the planning of the work that needs to be done. These investments are part of the Plan quebecois des infrastructures that foresees an investment of $41.8 billion for the 2008-2013 period, of which $3.6 billion will be used to maintain and improve municipal infrastructure. Repairing and modernizing public infrastructure is a priority for the Government of Quebec," added MNA Morin. The goal of the Agreement on the transfer of federal Gas Tax revenues made between Canada and Quebec in 2005 is to provide funding for the renewal of municipal and local infrastructure, and specifically for municipal drinking water, wastewater, local roads and public transit infrastructure, within a context of sustainable development. From 2005 to 2010, Quebec will receive $1.151 billion from the Gas Tax Fund, in addition to the Government of Quebec's contribution of $475.7 million. The funds will be administered by the Societe de financement des infrastructures locales du Quebec (SOFIL). Moreover, Canada's Economic Action Plan includes the acceleration and expansion of recent historic federal investments in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years. Egalement offert en français : www.infrastructure.gc.ca/