Island municipalities to get gas tax rebates

by Lindsay Kelly

MANITOULIN-An announcement by the provincial government that the Ontario federal Gas Tax Fund extension agreement has been signed is good news for Manitoulin municipalities.

The extension of the Gas Tax Fund-a program that supports environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure that contributes to cleaner air, cleaner water and reduced GHG emissions-was announced during Budget 2007. The ratification of the agreement means an additional $746 million per year will go to Ontario communities over four years.

“This extension ensures that federal gas tax funding contributes to hundreds of infrastructure investments each year, right across Ontario,” said Peter Hume, president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), in a press release. “All three orders of government-federal provincial and municipal-are working together to create employment opportunities and to strengthen our communities economically and environmentally.”

AMO has released preliminary numbers to indicate what municipalities can expect to receive annually between 2010 and 2014, to enable municipalities to prepare their 2009 budgets, although these numbers are subject to change before finalized.

In each of the four years, Gore Bay can expect to receive $56,844.48, the Town Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands will receive $166,780.72 and Assiginack should received $56,229.28.

Barrie Island is set to receive $2,891.44, while BillingsTownship should expect $33,159.28 and Burpee andMills Township should receive $20,240.08.

Cockburn Island has been allotted $615.20, GordonTownship can expect to receive $25,346.24, Tehkummah is set to receive $23,500.64 and Central Manitoulin will receive $119,594.88.

AMO notes that the per capita funding allocation remains in place, but the population data used to negotiate the allocation has been updated to the 2006 census.

It is expected that a framework for permanent funding will be negotiated in 2010.

GAS TAX REBATE BY MUNICIPALITY

Assiginack               $56,229.28

Barrie Island            $2,891.44

Billings                    $33,159.28

Burpee and Mills      $20,240.08

Central Manitoulin    $119,594.88

Cockburn Island       $615.20

Gordon Township     $25,346.24

Gore Bay                 $56,844.48

Northeast Town                  $166,780.72

Tehkummah            $23,500.64