The City of Campbell River is getting a financial boost from the federal government.
The funding is part of an annual contribution to local governments from the Canadian government’s Gas Tax Fund.
The $2-billion fund goes towards helping municipalities build and revitalize local infrastructure while aiming to create jobs and long-term growth.
This year, $5.5 million of the fund will be allocated to local governments on the north Island.
The City of Campbell River will receive $1.3 million while the Strathcona Regional District will get $453,405.
North Island MP John Duncan said the funding is aimed at stimulating the workforce and improving quality of life.
“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in public infrastructure to enhance our economic productivity and create jobs and economic growth across Canada,” Duncan said in a release.
“Through the federal Gas Tax Fund, the federal government is demonstrating its ongoing commitment by providing stable, predictable funding to all municipalities, so that Canadian communities can address their local infrastructure priorities. The first payment for 2015 will support thousands of infrastructure projects across the country.”
The City of Campbell River intends to use the Gas Tax funds to help pay for a new all-weather field at Robron Park.
Mayor Andy Adams said at a council meeting last month that the federal government recently changed the eligibility for the federal Gas Tax to allow municipalities to use the money for recreational projects and recreational facilities.
Quick facts
- Through the Gas Tax Fund, close to $22 billion will go to communities across Canada between 2014 and 2024, including $5.5 million to north Island municipalities.
- The Gas Tax Fund has, as of today, provided $15 billion to communities since the program began, including $2 billion in 2015/2016.