TORONTO - The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) welcomed the announcement of substantial new federal infrastructure funding by Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird.

"Additional federal investment in infrastructure will help Ontario municipalities get on with priority infrastructure projects and it will provide an important boost to the economy and job creation," said Peter Hume, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. "Municipalities can put this new federal investment to work quickly in every part of Ontario."

The announcement included:

- A new $4 billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for provincial, territorial and municipal government infrastructure, including roads, clean water systems and public transit;

- $2 billion for colleges and universities; and

- $1 billion Green Infrastructure Fund for sustainable energy infrastructure.

"AMO has advocated strongly for additional federal investment in municipal infrastructure," said Hume. "New funding for roads, water systems, public transit and social housing responds directly to the greatest needs of Ontario municipalities and will strengthen Ontario's competiveness and productivity."

This announcement builds on news on January 24th, when Federal Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finlay is reported to have announced $2 billion in funding for social housing - a much needed injection of funding for Ontario municipalities struggling with the rising costs and increasing demand for social housing in their communities.

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments. AMO supports 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.