Governments Celebrate Launch of Calgary Transit Security Upgrades
Decades-old system replaced with state-of-the-art technology
Calgary, Alberta, October 28, 2011 – The City of Calgary's transit system recently benefitted from over $6 million in federal, provincial and municipal funding in support of upgrades to its Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security camera network.
Devinder Shory, Member of Parliament for Calgary Northeast, was on hand today for a demonstration of the new system, along with provincial representative Wayne Cao, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Fort, and Alderman Shane Keating, Deputy Mayor of Calgary.
"Our Government is proud to partner with the Province of Alberta and The City of Calgary to enhance the security of Calgary's transit network,"
said MP Shory, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, we successfully delivered timely and targeted funding that created jobs, boosted the economy, and strengthened our communities."
"These improvements to transit security will serve Calgarians today and into the future,"
said Doug Griffiths, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "The Government of Alberta is pleased to see Municipal Sustainability Initiative funding being used to help build an even better Calgary."
"Thanks to a strong partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta, The City of Calgary has been working to improve its transit infrastructure on many fronts,"
said Deputy Mayor Alderman Keating. "Calgary Transit's new and improved CCTV security system will greatly benefit our transit system and the safety of our customers thanks to the clarity and reliability of the cameras and images."
The newly-installed CCTV digital cameras have replaced the out-of-date analog models, allowing for increased reliability and efficiency of the complete system. With cutting-edge pan and zoom capabilities, the new cameras will expand video coverage of the entire transit network, to better ensure the safety and security of riders.
The Government of Canada contributed $2 million through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The Province of Alberta contributed $3.5 million through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative, and The City of Calgary contributed $500,000 toward the eligible project costs of $6 million.
As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is providing funding to over 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country. Since April 2009, 252 projects in Alberta have received a total federal commitment of over $421 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
The Government of Alberta's Municipal Sustainability Initiative provides sustainable, predictable funding to support municipal priority capital and operating projects.
For further information on the Government of Canada's infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Contacts:
Pierre Floréa
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Michelle Davio
Communications
Alberta Municipal Affairs
780-427-8862
michelle.davio@gov.ab.ca
Ron Collins
Communications Coordinator
Calgary Transit
403-537-7949
403-312-9454 (cell)
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
