Dear Editor,

Infrastructure forms the backbone of our communities. The quality of a region’s infrastructure is a critical index of its socio-economic vitality. For our small towns, it makes them good places in which to live, work and raise a family. That’s why it was big news this week when the federal government announced it would increase its portion of financial support for rural infrastructure projects to 60 per cent.
Canadians know our Trudeau government is making major investments to build community infrastructure, alongside provincial and municipal partners, who have historically carried the burden of infrastructure investments without stable federal support. Just ask any mayor how hard it is for a municipal government to pay for a significant portion of water, internet, bridge or library construction projects. Unlike urban centres with large populations, rural communities have a limited tax base and often lack the capital investment required to partner with the other orders of government on major projects.

So, as MP for Pontiac and its 40 small municipalities, it’s my job to ensure our rural voices are heard on federal infrastructure funding. We were heard loud and clear when the Government of Canada announced that for small communities of 5,000 people or less, it will be increasing the amount that it contributes from 50 per cent to 60 per cent. With provinces contributing at least 33 per cent of the project cost, small communities will only need to contribute seven per cent. Goodbye to the old formula of 1/3 federal, 1/3 provincial and 1/3 municipal infrastructure funding!
By reducing the capital contribution required from small communities, we are reducing the burden on tight budgets and helping ensure they can direct their funding towards priority services that residents rely on every day, such as public works, snow removal, and local policing. This decision will also help communities in the Pontiac build more infrastructure than would have been possible under the old formula and ensure that we benefit from our government’s historic investments in infrastructure.
I am committed to continuing to work towards improving local infrastructure once defined by our municipalities. We are in the process of announcing major investments in digital infrastructure, which is a priority in many of our communities. With the help of these investments we can ensure that the Outaouais remains one of the best regions in Canada to call home. In politics, there’s no such thing as the perfect formula, but when it comes to infrastructure, we are certainly making major improvements.

William Amos
MP for Pontiac