Nanaimo, British Columbia

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is dedicating close to $23 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund transfer to improve important services for residents and businesses across the District.

Eight projects will benefit from federal Gas Tax Fund support in the coming year:

• The construction of new sections to the E&N Regional Trail ($2.6 million);
• Rural village centre sewer servicing projects ($350,000);
• Improvements to recycling drop-off centres ($75,000);
• A compressed natural gas refueling station for Regional District of Nanaimo Transit vehicles ($750,000);
• Land replacement at the Departure Bay outfall of the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre ($2 million);
• Northern Communities Wastewater Service upgrades ($200,000);
• Construction of the City of Nanaimo Water Treatment Plant ($16.6 million); and
• Enhancements to the Englishman River Water Service Water Treatment Plant ($400,000).

In addition to the contribution from the federal Gas Tax Fund transfer, Nanaimo's water treatment plant is also receiving a joint federal-provincial contribution of $17.8 million from the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund while the City of Nanaimo will cover the remaining costs. Most of the other projects will receive funding from other sources, such as Nanaimo Regional District's general capital reserve and BC Transit.

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada provides $250,697,000 in annual funding for municipal infrastructure in British Columbia through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
• The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.
• The Nanaimo Regional District has received close to $19 million to date from the federal Gas Tax Fund.
• Under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund (BCF), the Government of Canada has also invested in important projects across the West with matching contributions from the western provinces. Thousands of residents across the province are now enjoying the benefits of this significant investment to Canada and British Columbia's public infrastructure.

Quotes

"We are proud to support economic growth across the Nanaimo Regional District by supporting your local water, recycling, energy and trail infrastructure priorities through the federal Gas Tax Fund. Our Government is proud to invest in important infrastructure projects, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities across Canada."

-The Honourable John Duncan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North

 

"Mid-Islanders are proud of our beautiful environment, and these investments help us protect it while contributing to an improved quality of life for our families. Infrastructure that provides cleaner air and water, green energy and better public transit will benefit us all."

-Michelle Stilwell, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Parksville—Qualicum

 

"These projects reflect our region-wide priorities, and underline the RDNBoard's commitment to setting our priorities in the spirit of regional cooperation. We are extremely pleased that the federal Gas Tax Fund is contributing to these important projects for the benefit of our residents."

-Joe Stanhope, RDN Chair

 

"The funding received by the City of Nanaimo as a result of today's announcement will play a critical role in our community's long-term plans to provide clean drinking water to our residents for many years to come. Joint investments in infrastructure involving different levels of government are an important factor when planning for and building a new water treatment plant."

-John Ruttan, Mayor of the City of Nanaimo

 

"These investments through the federal Gas Tax Fund will provide a boost to core infrastructure throughout the region. We are pleased to see funding go towards these priorities that were identified by the RDN board."

-Rhona Martin, UBCM President

src:news.gc.ca