Roberval, Quebec, August 19, 2013 –

Today, the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Member of Parliament forRoberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, as well as Denis Trottier, Member of the National Assembly forRoberval and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources (forest sector), on behalf of Sylvain Gaudreault, Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister of Transport and Member of the National Assembly for Jonquière,marked the end of water infrastructure work on Marcotte Boulevard in Roberval. Officials took the opportunity to remind everyone of the federal and provincial governments' contribution of over $2.5 million to this project.

"Our government is proud to invest in water, wastewater, and road improvement projects like the one we are celebrating today," said Minister Lebel. "Our government's infrastructure investments through the federal Gas Tax Fund will continue to generate economic growth and job creation in Roberval and across Canada for years to come."

"I am very pleased to see the completion of this major water infrastructure project onMarcotte Boulevard, which will enable the City of Roberval to provide a better drinking water distribution system for many years to come. In addition to enhancing public services for the community, this project will also foster good health and well-being for residents and visitors alike. Access to quality drinking water is a fundamental right, an essential service for the population," declared MNA Denis Trottier.

The purpose of the project was to replace and rehabilitate drinking water pipes and sewer lines on Marcotte Boulevard, as well as on certain segments of Leclerc, Plante andRoberval streets.

The City of Roberval received $2,537,176 from the Federal Gas Tax Fund and a contribution from Quebec (TECQ) for the 2010–2013 period. The Government of Canada's share was $1,794,831 and the Government of Quebec's share was $742,345.

The Government of Quebec's contribution to the project was made under the 2013-2023 Quebec Infrastructure Plan unveiled in April. This 10-year plan will provide a total investment of $8.1 billion under the municipal infrastructure component. It will have a major economic impact on Quebec as a whole, creating or maintaining on average nearly 60,000 jobs a year. The plan signals a shift in investment in and management of public infrastructure. This new way of doing things will enable the province to assess prospective needs, in keeping with Quebecers' priorities, to accurately measure associated costs and to make informed choices.

The federal Gas Tax Fund provides Canadian municipalities with predictable, long-term funding to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure that contributes to protecting the environment. Specifically, the Fund supports municipal infrastructure projects that contribute to cleaner air and water and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In December 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make this fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion across Canada. Every year, the Government of Canada invests about $464 million in Quebec's municipal public infrastructure and public transit infrastructure.

The Federal-Provincial Agreement on Transfer of a Portion of federal Gas Tax Revenues reached between Quebec and Canada was designed to ensure funding for renewal of municipal and local infrastructure in a context of sustainable development, in particular with regard to drinking water, wastewater treatment, energy efficiency improvements of buildings, solid waste management, local roads and public transit. From 2005 to 2010, Quebec municipalities received $1.5 billion from the Government of Canada's federal Gas Tax Fund, in addition to a contribution from the Government of Quebec of over $475.7 million. The Canada-Quebec Agreement, which was extended in 2009, provides for additional Government of Canada support of $1.85 billion from 2010 to 2013, in addition to Quebec's contribution of over $907 million, for a total of $2.76 billion. To date, the Government of Canada has invested over $10 billion in Canadian municipal infrastructure under the federal Gas Tax Fund alone.

By:news.gc.ca

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