Canada and Quebec support better public transit services for Montréal residents

MONTRÉAL, June 4, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec recognize that investing in public transit infrastructure is crucial to economic growth, reducing air pollution, and creating inclusive communities where everyone has access to public services and job opportunities.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville; Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Kathleen Weil, Minister Responsible for Access to Information and the Reform of Democratic Institutions, Minister Responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers, and Member of the National Assembly for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce; and Rita de Santis, Member of the National Assembly for Bourassa-Sauvé, today announced an investment of over $820 million for 26 projects being carried out by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. The Government of Canada will provide more than $453 million for these projects and the Government of Quebec will contribute over $367 million. The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain will provide the remaining funding.

Among the projects receiving funding are a new Côte-Vertu garage to house additional metro cars needed to accommodate rush hour on the Orange Line. More than 400 buses will also be purchased and upgrades made to key system infrastructure like tunnels, auxiliary structures and maintenance workshops.

Once completed, this work will improve the performance, efficiency and reliability of Montréal's transit system, making it more inclusive and allowing the STM to meet the community's immediate needs while preparing for anticipated future increases in ridership.

Quotes

"Modern efficient public transit infrastructure plays an important role in developing sustainable communities and growing the middle class. By investing in important projects like these in Montréal, our government will make it easier for residents to travel, make our air cleaner and create well-paying jobs for Quebec residents and Canadians."

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"I am pleased to announce this contribution geared towards realizing sustainable transportation projects that will allow the Société de transport de Montréal to improve the quality of its service. These investments will support a clean-growth economy that will benefit Montréal residents for generations."

Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"These investments in public transit will make Montréal's public transit system more efficient and meet current and future users' needs. The work will improve travel in the city, enabling Montrealers to spend more time with their families."

Kathleen Weil, Minister Responsible for Access to Information and the Reform of Democratic Institutions, Minister Responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers, and MNA for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, on behalf of André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification

"Transport and mobility are important issues in Montréal. I welcome these investments that will enable the STM to improve its services and enhance its current facilities for the benefit of public transit users."

Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security, and Minister Responsible for the Montréal Region

"Investments in transportation are about making improvements for customers. For the STM, these improvements are at the heart of its actions. We are pleased with the commitments reaffirmed today and thank the various levels of government. "

Philippe Schnobb, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Société de transport de Montréal

"Once again, we are happy today to help fund major projects in the region that will have a positive impact on public transit services offered to residents of Montréal and the surrounding areas. These investments will improve service reliability and meet the region`s growing needs. "

Paul Côté, Chief Executive Officer of the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain

Quick Facts

• The Public Transit Infrastructure Fund has been funding projects since April 1, 2016. In total, the program is investing more than $1.8 billion in public transit projects. The Government of Canada will contribute up to $923.7 million, and the Government of Quebec, up to $739 million. Municipal governments are also helping fund projects through public transit authorities.
• The Government of Canada will invest 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.
• $28.7 billion of this funding will support public transit projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• Over the next ten years, the Government of Quebec plans to invest more than $100.4 billion through the province's infrastructure plan in health, education and transportation to improve families' quality of life and support innovation and economic growth.

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Backgrounder

Canada and Québec support better public transit services for Montréal residents
Investment of more than $820 million

Public Transit Infrastructure Fund

The governments of Canada and Quebec are investing $820,598,572 in 26 projects being undertaken by the Société de transport de Montréal to improve commutes, cut air pollution, strengthen communities and grow regional economy.

The Government of Canada is contributing $453,254,997, representing 50 per cent of the total eligible costs, and the province is providing $367,343,575, which represents 40 per cent of the total eligible costs. The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) will provide the remaining funding.

List of projects

Associated Links

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Investing in Canada plan project map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html

Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

Smart Cities Challenge: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/cities-villes/index-eng.html

Quebec Infrastructure Plan: https://www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/PDF/budget_depenses/18-19/fr/8-Infrastructures_publiques_du_Quebec.pdf

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada