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TRANSPORTATION: Federal government to invest $52.9 million in Alberta's transportation system
    (AlbertaIndex, April 2, Wednesday) --- The Federal government of said it is providing $52.9 million in funding for capital investments to improve public transit in Alberta.

    The announcement was made by the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. 

“Public transit plays an important role in easing traffic congestion in urban areas and contributes to cleaner air and lower greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mr Prentice. “The government of Canada will continue to work with the province of Alberta and municipalities to ensure that local needs are addressed.”

Luke Ouellette, Minister of Alberta Transportation, said: “Given the rapid growth of our cities, this funding commitment to expand and improve public transit is very welcome.”

The province will provide funds to the 11 municipalities with public transit systems, to support capital investments. Each of these municipalities will receive a base amount of $300,000, with the remainder of the funding allocated based on ridership.

Calgary has indicated that its $28-million funding share will be used to upgrade CTrain light rail transit (LRT) stations. Edmonton is planning to dedicate its $18.4-million allocation towards the north LRT expansion project.

Alberta’s proposed funding allocations are for Airdrie ($307,723), Calgary ($28,018,059), Edmonton ($18,414,064), Grande Prairie ($475,997), Lethbridge ($1,015,232), Medicine Hat ($620,023), Red Deer ($1,370,231), St. Albert ($659,571), Strathcona County ($936,615), Wood Buffalo ($672,132) and Banff ($410,353).

“The government of Canada is taking decisive action to support public transit in the country. Funding for transit has greatly 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 ollution,” said Mr Cannon. “In addition to the environmental value, these investments benefit the economy and quality of life in cities and communities.”

Budget 2008 announced that $500 million would be provided to continue to support public transit infrastructure projects. 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 specific projects, such as rapid transit, rail, transit buses, and high-occupancy vehicle and bicycle lanes. The funds will be delivered in trust to the province once legislation has been passed.

Alberta will have the flexibility to draw from the funding as needed over the next two years. The beneficiaries are also encouraged 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 Infrastructure Plan, including the Gas Tax Fund, which was made permanent in Budget 2008.



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