Canada and Alberta invest in public transit

Investing in public infrastructure supports efficient, affordable and sustainable transit services that help Canadians and their families get to work, school and essential services on time and back home safely at the end of the day.

Amarjeet Sohi, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Brian Mason, Alberta Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Transportation, and Greg Krischke, mayor of the City of Leduc, announced more than $733,000 for six new projects.

Support for the projects in four Alberta communities is through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF), the provincial Green Transit Incentives Program (GreenTRIP) and municipal funding. The federal government is providing more than $315,000, while the province is investing more than $317,000. Local municipalities will be responsible for the remaining costs.

“The Government of Canada is working closely with the Government of Alberta and its municipalities to invest in transit initiatives that will strengthen communities across the province by growing the middle class, fostering long-term prosperity and getting Canadians to their daily activities on time and back home at the end of the day. The projects announced today will provide Alberta residents with affordable and efficient public transit infrastructure now and into the future.”

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Alberta for PTIF. The projects announced today are in addition to the 49 PTIF projects announced for Alberta on Sept. 1, 2016 and the 52 PTIF projects announced on Dec. 3, 2016. In all, more than $930 million has been announced for Alberta transit projects.

“Our government continues to show leadership by creating jobs through significant investment in infrastructure and supporting reliable, accessible and improved transit service across the province. This announcement shows that we are committed to making life better by ensuring Albertans in our cities, towns and counties have reliable access to affordable and environmentally sustainable public transportation options.”

Funding will help the City of Leduc replace a specialized transit bus and upgrade bus stops with garbage/recycling units and concrete shelters. This will increase the comfort and safety of transit riders while they wait for their bus. Additional projects will rehabilitate high-capacity articulated buses in Airdrie, design and implement a transit plan for Lake Louise–Banff, and purchase a bus for local service in Spruce Grove.

“None of us can do it alone. Transit is important in communities like ours and when all three levels of government work together it is amazing what we can accomplish. We're very pleased to be included in this major Transit funding announcement. The dollars we receive today will enhance our connectivity in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.”

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• Canada’s Budget 2017 committed $25.3 billion to support public transit. This amount includes $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• The Government of Alberta has committed $1.3 billion over the four years of Budget 2017 for urban, rural and regional transit to connect communities and help Albertans access affordable transportation options.
• Alberta’s transit investment aligns with the province’s Climate Leadership Plan, as transit helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing affordable alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles.
• Transit funding helps to improve the quality of life for Albertans by supporting safe, affordable, accessible and environmentally sustainable transportation options.
• Transit projects improve public access to essential services, education and jobs, making lives better for Albertans.

Listen to the news conference