For the second time in the last three years, the City of Thompson and all other Canadian municipalities are receiving a double helping of federal gas tax funding in 2021-22.
Funding amounts are calculated per capita and Thompson is receiving about $1.47 million thanks to the increase, rather than the $736,000 it received last year.
Mayor Colleen Smook said at council’s April 12 meeting that she learned the amount would be doubled in an April 9 phone call from Liberal Winnipeg South Centre MP Jim Carr.
“Renewing Thompson’s infrastructure is a top priority for our residents, and with facilities closed for most of the winter, every dollar counts,” Smook said in an April 14 federal government press release about the additional funding. “We’re excited to receive this support, and to continue improving out community the best we can.”
The last time the gas tax funding was doubled was in 2019. Money received through the program can be used for things such as public transit, wastewater infrastructure, roads and bridges, broadband connectivity and disaster mitigation. In Thompson it usually goes toward labour and materials for road repairs, though in 2019 some was also directed towards water main renewal.
“Building our country back starts with key investments in out communities, and our health care system, to support important municipal priorities that will improve the daily lives of Canadians,” said Carr. “As special representative for the Prairies, I’m pleased to connect with mayors from across the region and to highlight this important step forward.”
