LaSalle wins AMO Federal Gas Tax Award

Ottawa, Ontario, August 21, 2018 – The Town of LaSalle has been recognized by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for investing the federal Gas Tax Fund in a town-wide water meter replacement project. Lynn Dollin, AMO President, presented the award today to LaSalle Mayor Ken Antaya at the annual AMO Conference in Ottawa.

“The Government of Canada is committed to working with Ontario municipalities to ensure they receive the support they need to build strong and vibrant communities,” said the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “The federal Gas Tax Fund gives municipalities like LaSalle the flexibility to invest in infrastructure projects that address local needs and create a more sustainable future for its residents.”

The Town of LaSalle invested $2.2 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund into replacing 85% of its water meters. The new meters allow staff to identify abnormal water use patterns at any time, leading to early leak detection, less water usage and ultimately, lower water bills.

The Town has also brought utility billing in-house to better serve residents. Water customers now have a one-stop shop for any service or billing requests and can also access their accounts online. This new system is more convenient for residents and allows for better customer service.

“The Town of LaSalle’s water meter replacement project is a great example of how the federal Gas Tax Fund is helping to improve local infrastructure in Ontario’s communities,” said Pat Vanini, AMO’s Executive Director. “Residents will benefit from early leak detection and a better billing system.”

“Investing the federal Gas Tax Fund in 10,300 new water meters has led to a better experience for local water customers, and a reduction in water loss due to more accurate billing,” said Mayor Ken Antaya. “We have also decreased our own costs by bringing the meter reading, billing and collection in-house.”

The AMO Gas Tax Award is given out each year to municipal governments that demonstrate excellence in the use of the federal Gas Tax Fund. The Awards highlight infrastructure projects that make a difference in our communities by addressing local needs, creating economic growth or achieving environmental outcomes.

The federal Gas Tax Fund is a permanent and stable source of funding for municipal infrastructure. AMO delivers the Fund to Ontario’s municipalities, except Toronto, twice a year, on a per capita basis. This approach means that federal funding can address the diverse needs found in all of Ontario’s municipalities. AMO will administer $647 million from the Fund in 2018.

You can learn more about the federal Gas Tax Fund in Ontario by visiting www.gastaxatwork.ca or @GasTaxinOntario on Twitter.

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario’s 444 municipal governments. AMO supports and enhances strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada’s political system.