MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French
Press release
Strathcona County, Alberta, February 2, 2024 — Commuters will benefit from improved public transit infrastructure in Strathcona County and Grande Prairie thanks to a joint investment of more than $21 million by federal and municipal governments for seven projects in northern Alberta.
Announced by Minister Randy Boissonnault, Mayor Rod Frank and Mayor Jackie Clayton, these projects will improve access to public transit services by providing residents with easier and safer ways to get to their destinations.
Investing in public transit and active transportation infrastructure is essential to driving economic growth, reducing air pollution, and creating more inclusive communities where everyone has equal access to public services and employment opportunities.
The funds allocated to Strathcona County will be used to replace public transit vehicles, including nine eight-passenger paratransit buses, ten conventional buses and six double-decker buses.
In addition, approximately 200 bus stop platforms will be installed at various locations throughout the community to improve the capacity, quality and safety of these stops.
In Grande Prairie, residents will benefit from functional improvements and repairs to the city’s trail network. This work will allow residents to stay active while traveling around the community.
Quotes
“Accessible and reliable public transit services are essential to building stronger, more inclusive communities. Residents of Strathcona County and Grande Prairie will be able to move around the community and get to their destinations more quickly and safely. By investing in these projects, we are improving quality of life and creating more opportunities for all Canadians to live fuller, more connected lives.”
The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“Strathcona County is pleased that the federal government is investing in our shared goal of fully accessible transit services. We are committed to providing the highest quality transit services, from the moment our operators greet customers at enhanced bus stops as they board a conventional bus, double-decker or paratransit bus, to the moment customers arrive safely and reliably at their destination.”
Rod Frank, Mayor of Strathcona County
“Thanks to the contribution of Minister Randy Boissonnault and the collaboration of other municipalities, City Council can look forward to the funding received, which will allow it to repair and expand the city’s trail network. Improving trails is a crucial way to improve the quality of life of our residents. These improvements will allow our residents to stay active while helping to strengthen their sense of community.”
Jackie Clayton, Mayor of Grande Prairie
Quick Facts
The federal government is investing $9,423,637 in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Streams (PTIS) and COVID-19 Resilience Streams (CRS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Strathcona County is investing $12,081,792 and Grande Prairie is investing $47,481 in their respective projects.
VITC supports the construction, development and improvement of urban and rural public transportation networks.
Under the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, the federal share of costs for public infrastructure projects is 80% in the provinces and 100% in the territories and for projects intended for Indigenous communities.
Investing in public transit helps Canadians get where they need to go, creates new jobs in construction and manufacturing, reduces pollution, and makes life more affordable.
Including today’s announcement, 14 infrastructure projects or groups of projects have been announced in Alberta under the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream, with a total federal contribution of more than $1.9 billion and a total provincial contribution of more than $2 billion.
The federal government is investing $14.9 billion over eight years in reliable, fast, affordable and clean public transit systems. This funding includes $3 billion per year in permanent and predictable federal funding for public transit, which will be available to support transit solutions starting in 2026–27.
Since 2015, the federal government has announced an unprecedented investment of more than $30 billion for thousands of public transit projects in communities across the country.
Under the VRCV, the federal share of costs for public infrastructure projects is 80% in the provinces and 100% in the territories and for projects intended for Aboriginal communities.
Including today’s announcement, 118 infrastructure projects or groups of projects have been announced in Alberta under the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, with a total federal contribution of more than $205 million and a total provincial contribution of more than $8.9 million.
Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
Infrastructure Canada helps address the complex challenges Canadians face every day, from rapidly growing cities to climate change to environmental threats to our waters and lands.
As the world moves toward a net-zero carbon economy, people who live and work in the Prairies are taking action and working to take advantage of growing economic development opportunities.
On December 18, 2023, the federal government launched the Prairie Green Economy Framework, which highlights the need for a collaborative, regional approach to sustainability, focused on strengthening the coordination of federal programs and initiatives with significant investments. The Framework is the first step in a journey that will bring together many stakeholders. PrairiesCan is allocating $100 million over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas identified by Prairie stakeholders to create a stronger, more sustainable and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and Canada.
Building a green economy in the Prairies means working together on common interests to make a sustainable and prosperous carbon-neutral economy possible.
Infrastructure Canada supports the Prairie Green Economy Framework to encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities, leverage additional funding and attract new investment to the Prairies to better meet needs.
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Contact persons
For further information (media only), please contact:
Micaal AhmedManager, CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities343-598-3920micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca
Media RelationsInfrastructure Canada613-960-9251Toll Free: 1-877-250-7154Email: media-medias@infc.gc.caFollow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram And LinkedInWebsite: Infrastructure Canada
Strathcona County – Communications780-410-6565news.inquiries@strathcona.ca
Philip CooperDirector, CommunicationsCity of Grande Prairie780-876-5805pcooper@cityofgp.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
