Trudeau brings (CANADA's) wallet to BC

[Barney Google]

Trudeau brings wallet to BC
"The prime minister is expected to make a major transit funding announcement today in Metro Vancouver.

Justin Trudeau is scheduled to meet Premier Christy Clark in Burnaby, B.C., and make an announcement at the SkyTrain operations centre.

The new Liberal government announced in its maiden budget that it would pay up to 50 per cent for big projects, and has committed to provide $370 million for transit improvements in Metro Vancouver.

The provincial government announced last month that it has earmarked $246 million over three years to help alleviate the region's transit woes.

Metro Vancouver has a long wish list of transit projects, including the Broadway SkyTrain and a rapid transit line for Surrey.

In a referendum held last year, residents voted down a proposed sales tax to pay for a 10-year, $7.5 billion transit plan for the region."

If JT was bringing is own wallet to BC I'd be more impressed but bringing Canada's Taxpayers Wallet and

spending freely is nothing new and hardly news worthy.

Wonder how long it's going to be before moths start flying out of Canada's Wallet??

[Omnitheo]

Vancouver certainly needs the transit upgrades. I thought it was rediculous that so many residents voted against it.
People seemed to be of the mind that if they don't use the skytrain or buses then they shouldn't have to pay for them through their taxes. All the while complaining about being stuck in gridlock for 2 hours.

[The Green Barbarian]

He didn't bring the taxpayer's wallet, he brought China's line of credit.

[JLives]

He is following up on promises made in the campaign. We knew this was coming. Maybe go read the platform so you're not caught off guard the next time he checks off something he had already promised to do?

[Omnitheo]

Indeed, if I recall, he promised infrastructure spending. That's what this is correct?

[occasional thoughts]

Just ponying up on promises already made and vilified for.

[The Green Barbarian]

He is following up on promises made in the campaign. We knew this was coming. Maybe go read the platform so you're not caught off guard the next time he checks off something he had already promised to do?

I would rather he kept his promises to the veterans. Why break that promise just to keep this one? Shame.

[Barney Google]

"UPDATE 11:25 a.m.

The federal government has taken a major step in its ambitious infrastructure program by signing a funding agreement with British Columbia to move the first block of cash in its multibillion-dollar plan.

Prime Minister Trudeau says Ottawa will invest $470 million in British Columbia over two years to help pay for upgrades to existing transit infrastructure including renovations to aging transit stations and new bus fleets.

He says a total of $921 million in investments will be made in transit infrastructure with contributions from the province and municipalities for the first phase of projects across B.C.

Premier Christy Clark says the new funding will help fight climate change and that the province worked with the federal government to ensure B.C. was the first to get money for transit infrastructure.

The announcement comes one day after a Senate committee warned that not a nickel of the $6.8 billion in infrastructure money promised to cities and provinces for transit, green and social infrastructure had flowed because of a lack of funding agreements.

Metro Vancouver has a long wish list of transit projects, but residents voted down a proposed sales tax last year to pay for a 10-year, $7.5 billion transit plan for the region.


UPDATE: 10:50 a.m.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today pledged $460 million in funding for public transit in B.C.

The bulk of the cash – $370 million – will go to the Lower Mainland for transit projects, including a new SeaBus to service the North Shore and additional rail cars for the Canada Line and SkyTrain.

– with files from CTV Vancouver"

[Barney Google]

UPDATE: 4:20 p.m.

"British Columbia has become the first province to reap dollars for its transit system under the federal government's ambitious multibillion-dollar infrastructure program, with more deals expected to be signed elsewhere in Canada next week.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa will hand B.C. its previously earmarked $460 million to help pay for upgrades to existing transit infrastructure, including renovations to aging stations and buying new rapid-transit cars.

"I'm proud that the very first such agreement that we've signed is right here in British Columbia, although we are working hard to close deals with other provinces," Trudeau said Thursday at the SkyTrain operations centre in Burnaby.

He said $370 million has been allocated for transit projects in Metro Vancouver, while a total of $934 will be invested in public transit across B.C. when provincial and municipal contributions are included.

The money comes after Metro Vancouver mayors have spent years trying to find ways to pay for upgrades and expansions to a transit system that is inadequate for a growing population. An estimated one million more residents are expected to move to the region over the next 30 years.

On Wednesday, a Senate committee warned that none of the $6.8 billion in infrastructure money promised to cities and provinces for transit, green and social infrastructure had flowed because of a lack of funding agreements.

At least two more deals could be signed next week in other jurisdictions, and the remainder of the promised agreements could be inked with all provinces and territories within months, an Infrastructure Canada spokeswoman said.

"(Negotiations) are going well in many provinces," Kate Monfette said from Ottawa after Thursday's announcement.

"If things continue the way they are going, by the end of the summer we're confident that we could sign everything."

Monfette wouldn't specify which deals are making swiftest progress, but noted funding agreements will cover projects that started as of April 1.

She said it was "a close race" among provinces to procure funding first and that B.C. was the fastest to assemble its wish list of transit projects.

The federal government promised in its March budget to fund up to 50 per cent of the provinces' and territories' public transit and clean water and wastewater projects as part of a $5.4-billion infrastructure package.

The funds are part of phase one of the government's infrastructure plan, which focuses on repairing and modernizing existing infrastructure. Phase two will include big, transformative projects but plans are not expected to be revealed until next year.

Trudeau, British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson arrived by SkyTrain for the announcement at a cavernous rail house as hundreds of maintenance workers and transit staff looked on.

Clark praised Trudeau for the investment that she said will ensure commuters spend less time on the road and contribute to the province's goal of fighting climate change.

Robertson said the funding "makes sense" because municipalities contribute about half their tax dollars to the federal government.

Fourteen projects have been identified for the first two to three years of a 10-year regional transit plan.

Robertson said the Broadway subway line in Vancouver and a rapid transit project in Surrey are expected to break ground within 18 months.

Metro Vancouver has a long list of transit projects, but residents voted down a proposed sales tax in a plebiscite last year to pay for a 10-year, $7.5 billion transit plan.

After the announcement, Robertson said the $125 million comprising the municipalities' share for phase one comes from the regional transit authority's assets, including the sale of surplus property.

Robertson said mayors are waiting on the provincial government to approve municipalities' methods for generating funding for phase two, including potentially raising the carbon tax, property taxes and development fees.

He said they were not looking at holding another plebiscite."

[Ka-El]

Indeed, if I recall, he promised infrastructure spending. That's what this is correct?

Damn that Trudeau. Keeping election promises. Investing in much neglected infrastructure development
and spurring economic activity and creating jobs. Damn him.