For release - March 28, 2008
OTTAWA — The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced $116.3 million in funding for capital inve stments to improve public transit in Quebec through the Public Transit Capital Trust, which was announced in Budget 2008.
"The Government of Canada is taking decisive action to support public transit in the country. Funding for transit has gr eatly increased in recent years, currently reaching over $1 billion per year. Sound investments in public transit can improve mobility and help get people out of their cars, which reduces traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution," added Minister Cannon. "In addition to the environmental value, these investments benefit the economy and quality of life in cities and communities."
"Quebec plans to use its $116.3 million share of the Public Transit Capital Tru st announced in Budget 2008 for infrastructure improvements to public transit systems in several Quebec cities and regions. This includes $20 million for infrastructure work in the vicinity of the Dorval roundabout to improve public transit between downto wn Montreal and the Montreal West Island," said Quebec Minister of Transport Julie Boulet.
Budget 2008 announced that $500 million would be provided to continue to support public transit infrastructure projects across Canada. Funding will be paid into a third-party trust, allocated on a provincial-territorial per capita basis and used towards priority projects. The Public Transit Capital Trust 2008 will be used for projects such as rapid transit, rail, transit buses, and high-occupancy vehicl e and bicycle lanes. The funds will be delivered in trust to the Province of Quebec once legislation has been passed.
Quebec will have the flexibility to draw from the funding as needed over the next two years. The beneficiaries are also encourage d to report publicly on the expenditures financed through the trust and on outcomes achieved.
This trust is in addition to the long-term funding available for public transit projects under the government's $33-billion Building Canada Infrastr ucture Plan, including the Gas Tax Fund, which was made permanent in Budget 2008.
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Contacts:
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Daniel Desharnais
Office of the Quebec Minister of Transport
418-643-6980
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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