Liberals to invest in Edmonton-area public transit

September 10, 2015

EDMONTON – As part of investing in public transit and job creation, a Liberal government will provide funding for local transit priorities in the Edmonton-area, said the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today.

“Cities like Edmonton – whose young and vibrant population has grown by 60,000 people in the last two years – need reliable public transit,” said Mr. Trudeau. “Here in Edmonton, and in communities across the country, local leaders know what needs to be done, and their projects are ready to go. That’s why a Liberal government will contribute to projects like the Valley Line LRT extension, which will play a critical role in getting both this city – and Canada’s economy – moving again.”

Projects like the Valley Line LRT extension fall under the purview of a larger, historic public transit investment announced by Justin Trudeau last week. A Liberal government will quadruple federal investment in public transit over the next decade, investing nearly 20 billion new dollars in transit infrastructure. Municipalities – which are responsible for the majority of public transit in Canada – have limited revenue sources. We will work with municipalities to see that local projects are prioritized, and ensure funding is flexible rather than a roadblock to development. We will also provide our provinces, territories, and municipalities with the long-term, predictable federal funding needed to make community transit plans a reality.

“Economic growth is not just about prosperity. It’s about building a country that gives everyone a real and fair chance to succeed,” said Mr. Trudeau. “Public transit doesn’t just get people to work every day or students to class on time. Good public transit helps everyone get back home to their families. It gets you to the Oilers game or a concert at Commonwealth. It allows you to be active members of your city. Investing in public transit is about investing in Canadians, and Liberals will grow the economy, generate good-paying jobs, and create livable communities in the process.”

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Backgrounder – Real Change: Moving communities forward, investing in public transit