By Kevin Woodhouse
www.thesuburban.com
The city of Dorval will have an extra $5 million for the next five years to deal with infrastructure, water and cultural needs. Senn Larry Smith made the announcement at city hall along with Marquette MNA Francois Ouimet, Mayor Edgar Rouleau and Pierre Moreau, Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Dorval will receive the monies through the provincial-federal Gas Tax Fund, part of the $2.67 billion municipalities across the province will be getting over the next half decade.
“The federal government understands that municipalities across the country need strong, modern infrastructure in order to serve its residents,” Smith told the assembled. “Since 2006, $2.8 billion has been invested into the province through the Gas Tax Fund.”
Dorval, like other municipalities getting the additional funding, will receive twice yearly payments that are given to the provinces by the federal government before being passed on to the cities and towns in question.
Smith noted that the money can be sent for infrastructure work such as paving roads, fixing water and sewage drains as well as using some of the money for cultural, leisure or sporting pursuits.
Another new arrangement between the provincial and federal governments through the Gas Tax Fund is that municipalities have more leeway regarding the spending, being allowed to spend 20 per cent of the total fund at the city’s discretion.
“This will give taxpayers some relief as the city can make improvements to city buildings by making them more energy efficient,” said Moreau.
Ouimet praised Rouleau and his council for its sound fiscal management of the city and “this money will help you all realize a number of projects in Dorval without placing more burden on the taxpayers.”
Rouleau told the assembled that some of the 20 per cent of the fund will be used to help the new football program being developed at Jean XXIII.
The Marquette MNA added that the funding from the Gas Tax Fund’s announcement is well timed as “the council is currently preparing its budget for 2015.”
During question period, The Suburban asked Smith if the federal government would contribute some of the gas tax fund would be given towards the Train de l’ouest commuter railway project.
“This fund is more about the focus on municipalities while the Train de l’ouest would require a joint-venture concept with a number of municipalities,” said Smith.
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