Lou and Steve hang with Belinda and the Prime Minister

NEWS RELEASE

********************** On Friday, June 27, the Association of the Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) President, Roger Anderson, signed an agreement with the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto that will result in $2.2 billion dollars in municipal infrastructure funding for Ontario municipalities over the next five years.

"It was a great day for Canada, a great day for Ontario and a great day for Sault Ste. Marie," said Ward Four Councillor Lou Turco who serves as the city's representative on the AMO Board.

Councillor Turco was also one of twenty politicians and advocates for this new deal selected to share the stage with the Right Honourable Paul Martin, Prime Minister of Canada, in the Elgin Mills Community Center in Richmond Hall on Friday.

Also in attendance was Ward One Councillor Stephen Butland, who serves on AMO's WDO (Waste Diversion ) committee, NDP leader Jack Layton and several MP's including the newest Liberal member, Belinda Stronach [shown].

In the first and second years of the five-year agreement, Sault Ste. Marie will receive $1,453,990.

In the third year, Sault Ste Marie will receive $1,938,436.

In the fourth year, Sault Ste. Marie will receive $2,422,883.

In the final year, Sault Ste Marie will receive $ 4,845,766.

The funds were allocated on a per capita basis.

A second agreement will provide additional funding over two years towards transit which will be based on transit ridership.

AMO will be responsible for the allocation of the funds to the municipalities.

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