Municipal Affairs
May 2, 2007

Canada�s New Government Invests $20.6 Million
for Public Transit in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal Affairs, are proud to announce a federal investment of $20.6 million in public transit in Newfoundland and Labrador. The investment includes $6.5 million from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement on the Transfer of Federal Public Transit Funds, announced today, and a $14.1 million investment through the federal Public Transit Capital Trust.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Public Transit Funding Agreement announced today is part of a one-time contribution of $400 million available to provinces and territories for public transit infrastructure. Canada�s contribution through this agreement will be shared between the cities of St. John�s and Corner Brook based on an allocation floor and ridership and will support capital investments in existing public transit systems.

"Canada�s New Government is committed to the development of strong and healthy communities of which public transit is a key element," said Minister Cannon. "By investing in public transit, we are contributing to improving quality of life in all of our communities, while, at the same time, contributing to the health of the environment"

"The Government of Canada is proud to be contributing to cities and communities in Newfoundland and Labrador by investing in their public transit," said the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. "This funding is intended to help purchase buses, support active transportation and paratransit, and support capital improvements, among other priorities."

"Reliable public transit supports the growth, development and sustainability of communities and this investment will improve the efficiency of public transit in Newfoundland and Labrador," stated Minister Jack Byrne. "The $20.6 million investment will enhance existing municipal transit infrastructure in St. John�s and Corner Brook, and support the protection of our environment through the reduction of gas emissions and increased use of public transit."

With Budget 2007, the Government of Canada is making an historic and unprecedented investment of more than $16 billion in infrastructure, bringing federal support under a new long-term plan for infrastructure to $33 billion. This investment includes significant monies that flow to communities in all provinces and territories to help them meet their infrastructure priorities.

Media contacts:

Natalie Sarafian
Office of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-1983, 690-2498

2007 05 02                                                   11:05 a.m.

 


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement