Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister announcing a public transit investment in the Peel Region

Brampton, Ontario — June 7, 2024

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Thank you for that warm introduction.

I am so happy to be here in Brampton today. It is great to have colleagues from all three levels of government. I am going to offer a special shout-out to my federal colleagues. Minister Kamal Khera, she is here, she will be speaking in a minute. My colleagues, Shafqat, Sonia, Ruby are also here. And we are here together because it’s a great day for Brampton and for Peel Region.

I do also, before I dive into the announcement, want to say thank you so much to everyone who works here for the warm welcome, and for the work you do every day. 

I want to thank the people at the call centre, the ladies we met there, I want to thank the dispatchers, I want to thank the mechanics for their hard work. We met some trainee bus drivers who just finished their road tests. They have done five weeks of training, they all passed, and they are going to start driving buses in Brampton on Monday morning. I think that’s great.    

And I do want to offer a special shout-out to a wonderful woman I had the chance to chat with for a little bit called Susan. Susan has been driving a bus for more than 14 years. She told me she loves it. She works really hard, she works from 4:30 in the morning to 4 o’clock at night. She does that five days a week. She has two kids. And you know there was a little sign by her driver’s seat that says please “don’t be mean to the driver”. Let’s not be mean to bus drivers. And I asked Susan about that, and I said are people mean to you or not? And she was really polite, she is a good Canadian, but it was clear people sometimes are. She says she tries to be understanding, and also that she tries to think about each passenger on her bus as if they are her child, and to be really caring towards them.   

And I just want to say thank you very much, Susan, for that and especially for all the kids in Brampton when they ride your bus. I bet they really do feel safe and cared for. So thanks a lot.

I am going to talk about our announcement in a minute, but before doing that I just want to highlight some really good economic news that we have in Canada this week. Earlier this week, the Bank of Canada lowered interest rates.

Canada was the first G7 country to lower interest rates, and it’s the first time in more than four years that rates have gone down.   

This is really welcome news for everyone in Brampton, in the Peel Region, in the GTA, in Ontario, and in Canada. It is going to make life a little bit easier for every single person who is here. And I am really glad.

Our government has a fiscally responsible plan. We have been working really hard to create the economic conditions which would make it possible for the Bank to lower rates. And now we see the fruit of that hard work. Canada is the first G7 country where interest rates have been lowered. Our economic plan is working.

Our government is taking action to ensure fairness for every generation, to make Canada a country that works better for you.

We are moving with purpose to help build more homes, faster.

We are making life cost less.

And we are driving the kind of economic growth that will ensure every generation of Canadians can reach their full potential and have access to a great middle class life.

Our country works best when our economy is growing and when more opportunities exist—for every generation.

One of the ways through which we can drive that kind of economic growth is by investing in our infrastructure.

We know investments in infrastructure, in public transit are absolutely essential.

So, that’s why I am really happy that we have some great news to share today.

I am really happy to announce that the federal government is investing $6.97 million in the Peel Region through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

That means Brampton is receiving nearly $4.9 million to support the purchase of 15 conventional buses and to upgrade them with necessary equipment like fare systems.

And that’s not all. Peel Region is receiving over $1.6 million to help purchase 23 accessible buses to replace existing specialized transit vehicles. On top of that, we are investing $400,000 to help purchase two electric TransHelp buses and install two battery charging stations, and I know we are going to hear more about that from the Deputy Mayor of Brampton, because he has been talking to me with real enthusiasm about the work being done here to have more electric and hydrogen-powered public transit. We are really glad to support that great work.

The Government of Ontario is also investing $5.8 million, and the City of Brampton and Peel Region are investing a combined $4.6 million.

One of the things that makes me really happy to be here today is that this announcement is a great example of the amazing things we can do in Canada when everyone works together.  

You have here today all three levels of government working together. The federal government, the province, the municipalities.

We have all put our heads together, come up with a plan to support the people of Peel and Brampton, and all of us have chipped in some money.

Together, we are investing a total of $17.4 million to improve public transit for the people of Brampton, and the Peel Region.  

We understand that investing in reliable and sustainable public transit infrastructure is fundamental to economic growth and to keep Canadians and communities connected as they grow.

These investments will help ensure a safe, reliable, and comfortable experience for all the users of local public transit here in Brampton.

As our population continues to grow, it is more important than ever that we build the right infrastructure now, so that we have a prosperous and sustainable future for everyone.

Because you deserve a city that grows with you. By continuing to invest in Canada’s growing cities, in wonderful communities like Brampton—and the public transit and infrastructure that you need—the federal government is ensuring that our communities and our economy can continue to grow.

Public transit connects Canadians, and gets them to and from work, school, and home. It makes our communities appealing places where people can and want to live, play, and raise families.

It gives a fair chance to everyone to physically access resources that would otherwise be too far.

That is why the federal government has made investing in infrastructure a key priority.

Together, we can open the door to the middle class for more and more Canadians. I am so glad to be working on this with the City of Brampton, Peel Region, and of course with the Province of Ontario.