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Fort Frances Handi-transit van June 2019(1)

Provincial gas taxes flowing back to northwestern Ontario transit services

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Nine communities in northwestern Ontario are among those to receive provincial gas tax money.

A share of money collected at the pumps is given to municipalities to support local transit services.

Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden, Atikokan, and Sioux Lookout are among those receiving a portion of the $2.5 million allocated to the northwest region.

Thunder Bay is receiving the lion’s share at over $2.1 million.

Municipalities can use the money to expand service, purchase new vehicles or make existing services more accessible.

Here is the list of northern Ontario communities receiving funds

Thunder Bay – $24,184
Dryden – $65,782
Fort Frances – $69,403
Greenstone – $26,894
Kenora – $139,771
Machin – $9,570
Schreiber – $21,861
Sioux Lookout – $51,107
Thunder Bay – $2,181,141

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Ontario Energy Minister Still Against Carbon Tax

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Ontario’s Minister of Energy isn’t happy with an Ontario Court ruling related to the federal carbon tax.

Earlier this year the government started putting stickers on gas pumps across the province showing the true costs of the tax but that has now been deemed unconstitutional.

The government says no decision has been made on an appeal.

Greg Rickford believes the provincial action was warranted.

Rickford says “We respect the Court’s decision. We don’t agree with it. To the extent that we believe the people of Ontario need to understand where additional costs are coming. Especially at the point of purchase with respect to gasoline.

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP notes they have documentation showing the carbon tax has resulted in additional costs, especially for motorists in northern Ontario.

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Public Transportation Funding/Review

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Local municipalities now know how much they will have to spend to improve public transportation this year.

The province is investing more than $365-million and 148 communities are benefiting from the annual Gas Tax program.

Here is the total allocations:

-Thunder Bay: $2,168,326
-Kenora: $146,259
-Fort Frances: $71,372
-Dryden: $54,916
-Sioux Lookout: $49,373
-Atikokan: $24,594
-Machin: $9,203
-Red Lake: N/A

The program provides Ontario municipalities with funding for public transportation upgrades based on two cents per litre of provincial Gas Tax revenues.

Local communities have seen a small hike in their allocations over the years but the government is hoping to enhance the program.

Officials say the goal is to cut red tape and make it easier for municipalities to access funding.

A draft plan has already been released in southwestern Ontario and planning is now underway in the north.

 

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Province Looking At Gas Tax Fund

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The Ford government is intent on reviewing the provincial gas tax fund.

Under the program, communities receive a share of taxes collected at the pump for transit improvements.

Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney wants to look at how the money is doled out.

“We’re looking at the funding process. One of the things we’ve heard is consistency. It’s something municipalities are looking for.”

Mulroney says municipalities will be asked for their input when the review gets underway.