The Federal Gas Tax fund was announced as part of the 2005 Federal Budget and committed approximately $1.9 billion over a five year period to Ontario municipalities. By the end of 2010, the County of Lennox and Addington received a total of approximately $3.2 million under this program, which is intended to assist with environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects.

The 2007 Federal Budget committed to extending the Federal Gas Tax Fund until 2014, with an additional $5 million in funding for Lennox and Addington County

A funding agreement was made between the Federal Government, the Provincial Government and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) in June 2005. The purpose of the agreement was to provide a framework for the transfer of the Gas Tax Funds to municipalities, identify specific roles and responsibilities and confirm the commitment of all Parties to this “New Deal for Cities and Communities”.

One of the requirements of the Federal Gas Tax Agreement is for municipalities to demonstrate progress on sustainability through existing planning instruments (such as an Official Plan), processes which are in place, or through the creation of a new planning document, known as an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). Through these means, municipalities must demonstrate progress which has been made towards enhanced sustainability planning by 2010, in return for the Federal Gas Tax funds received.

County Council is very proud of Lennox and Addington’s Sustainability Plan, which was developed to capitalize on previous accomplishments and existing knowledge within the County. The Sustainability Plan also identifies numerous opportunities which will assist in advancing the County’s sustainability agenda for many years to come.

View the County of Lennox & Addington Sustainability Plan