WHEREAS the provincial and federal governments levy a fuel tax on all fuel that is sold within a municipality;AND WHEREAS the road infrastructure is being required to carry substantially more industrial traffic, in addition to larger and heavier farm-related traffic;AND WHEREAS the municipalities are required to build and maintain the road infrastructure within their boundaries to facilitate this increased traffic;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Government of Alberta to distribute a portion of the fuel tax collected to rural municipalities to assist in funding road construction and maintenance;AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the federal government to share a portion of the federal fuel tax with rural municipalities as well.

Currently both the federal and provincial governments levy a fuel tax on all fuel sold within the province. In many cases this same fuel is used in the operation of local businesses whose main industry is that of transportation. In light of the increased industrial vehicle traffic on municipal roadways, it would be of assistance to municipalities to receive a portion of all funds collected to be used to address the increased infrastructure requirements.

The AAMDC has no resolutions currently in effect with respect to this issue. However, expired resolution 17-97F, endorsed by delegates at the fall 1997 convention, urges similar action from the government on the same issue. On October 7, 2003, the House of Commons passed a motion to share a portion of the federal fuel tax with municipalities. The leading candidate for the leadership of the federal Liberal party, Paul Martin, has also committed to sharing a portion of the federal fuel tax with municipalities if he becomes prime minister in the next federal election.