Mayor Katz, Burgess and Comaskey to AMM – time to sign gas tax deal
Per capita hold out only hurts governments across Manitoba
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WINNIPEG - October 6, 2005 - Mayor Sam Katz joined Brandon Mayor Dave Burgess and Thompson Mayor Bill Comaskey to call on the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) to honour their word and sign a gas tax deal that has taken shape following months of negotiations between Federal, Provincial and Municipal officials.
“We’ve been at this for months, and I have to say I am ready to sign the deal,” said Katz. “We have obtained the flexibility we wanted, and we now have a Rapid Transit plan that will require some funds. I don’t know why the AMM wants to hold this up at the eleventh hour. I have my pen right here. Let’s get this done.”
The proposed deal would see 90% of the federal gas tax funds divided among Manitoba cities based on population, and 10% based on transit ridership. This position is supported by Mayor Katz, Mayor Burgess and Mayor Comaskey. The AMM, however, is refusing to agree to any amount of funds being allocated among Manitoba’s cities based on transit ridership.
“The people of Brandon have been very patient through this process, but it’s now time to get the money flowing,” said Burgess. “Every municipality has projects that need to proceed, and it only makes sense that a small portion of the money be allocated to the transit riders of this province.”
“Winnipeg is not the only city with Transit operations, and the AMM should be aware of that,” said Comaskey. “Sharing a portion of the funds based on transit ridership is not something that will benefit Winnipeg alone, but will help communities in every region of Manitoba.”
Last update: 30.09.2008
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