Governments set aside funding for Edmonton Light Rail system expansion project
May 26, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario – Infrastructure Canada
I am pleased that today our Government announced the first major project since the launch of the New Building Canada Fund, the Edmonton Light Rail Transit system.
Back in March, I said the New Building Canada Fund was open for business. Today's announcement shows that we are in fact doing business and receiving applications from municipalities, provinces and territories.
The New Building Canada Fund is a key element of the New Building Canada Plan. The Plan was designed through consultation and engagement with the provinces, territories, municipalities, and municipal organizations. In fact, in response to requests received through this consultation and engagement process, the Plan includes dedicated funding for municipalities, a streamlined application process, and the indexation of the renewed federal Gas Tax Fund. And as you know, the $53 billion New Building Canada Plan is the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in our nation's history.
Through its suite of programs, the New Building Canada Plan will support projects such as roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail and other public infrastructure that will enhance economic growth, job creation and productivity across the country.
And that's what we saw in Edmonton today.
Best of all, we are ensuring that municipalities and communities across Canada will be able to take advantage of every construction season to realize their infrastructure priorities. With the New Building Canada Fund being "open for business", new projects under the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component will be approved over the course of the year, and for the decade to come. I encourage all municipalities to contact their provincial governments to discuss their priority projects, and submit them for funding consideration.
The Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Vincent Rabault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca
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Website: Infrastructure Canada
