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Archived - A New Deal for Canada's Communities
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Working Together for Strong Communities
Budget 2005 delivers long-term, stable and predictable funding as part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to a New Deal for Cities and Communities. Under the New Deal, federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments will work together with other stakeholders to develop long-term strategies for improving our communities.
The Government of Canada is doing its part. In combination with full rebate of the goods and services tax introduced last year, the measures announced in Budget 2005 will provide Canadian communities with more than $9 billion in funding over the next five years.
Budget 2005—Delivering on Commitments
Budget 2005 delivers on the Government of Canada’s New Deal for Cities and Communities commitment by:
1 Providing municipalities with a share of gas tax revenues
2 Renewing existing infrastructure programs as necessary
3 Increasing contributions to the Green Municipal Funds
1 Gas Tax Revenue Sharing
Over the next five years, the Government of Canada will provide $5 billion to municipalities to support environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects such as public transit, water and wastewater treatment, community energy systems and the handling of solid waste.
Effective in 2005–06, Canada’s cities and communities will receive a share of federal gas tax revenues worth $600 million. This funding will increase until it reaches $2 billion annually, equivalent to 5 cents per litre of gas tax revenues, by 2009–10. Specifically:
- 2005–06: $600 million
- 2006–07: $600 million
- 2007–08: $800 million
- 2008–09: $1 billion
- 2009–10: $2 billion
Funding will be distributed to provinces, territories and First Nations on a per capita basis (see table below) once bilateral agreements are signed. These agreements will ensure that funds are received by municipalities promptly on a fair and transparent basis.
|
|
|
| Province/Territory/ First Nations |
Total Over Five Years |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| ($M) | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 82.3 |
| Prince Edward Island | 37.5 |
| Nova Scotia | 145.2 |
| New Brunswick | 116.1 |
| Quebec | 1,151.0 |
| Ontario | 1,865.5 |
| Manitoba | 167.3 |
| Saskatchewan | 147.7 |
| Alberta | 476.9 |
| British Columbia | 635.6 |
| Yukon | 37.5 |
| Northwest Territories | 37.5 |
| Nunavut | 37.5 |
| First Nations | 62.5 |
|
|
|
| Total | $5 billion |
|
|
|
2 Renewing Existing Infrastructure Programs
In addition to gas tax revenue sharing, Budget 2005 commits to renewing the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund and the Border Infrastructure Fund. Further details on the extension of these programs will be announced in future budgets.
3 Green Municipal Funds
Budget 2005 more than doubles funding for the Green Municipal Funds with new funding of $300 million. These funds, which are administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, provide grants, low-interest loans and innovative financing to increase investment in infrastructure projects that deliver cleaner air, water and soil, and climate protection.
Examples of Federal Contributions to Infrastructure Projects
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A Voice at the National Table
The Government is consistently seeking new ways to involve Canada’s municipal governments in the decision-making process on national issues that directly affect their interests.
The proposed new Department of Infrastructure and Communities will be the Government of Canada’s primary contact for municipal issues. In addition, the Minister of Finance has formally met with municipal decision-makers as part of his pre-budget consultations and is committed to do so again for future budgets.
The Government will continue to seek further opportunities for dialogue with municipal leaders, while respecting provincial and territorial jurisdiction.
Building on Previous Commitments
The first steps in delivering on the New Deal came in Budget 2004. At that time, the Government committed to:
- Provide municipalities with a 100-per-cent rebate of the goods and services tax and the federal portion of the harmonized sales tax. This will provide municipalities with $7 billion in funding over 10 years.
- Accelerate spending under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund so that the $1 billion in funding is spent over 5 years, rather than 10.
The Government of Canada has provided more than $12 billion in infrastructure program funding since the mid-1990s, which is expected to leverage more than $30 billion in total infrastructure investment.
How Can I Get More Information on Budget 2005?
Information is available on the Internet at www.fin.gc.ca or by phoning:
1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232)
1 800 465-7735 (TTY for the speech and hearing impaired)
You can also obtain copies of this brochure and other budget documents from the:
Distribution Centre
Department of Finance Canada
Room P-135, West Tower
300 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5
Phone: (613) 995-2855
Fax: (613) 996-0518
E-mail: services-distribution@fin.gc.ca
