Trudeau ready to partner with region on transit, infrastructure needs
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau says local municipalities are in the best position to determine what they need when it comes to transit and infrastructure and if re-elected this October, he's ready to partner with them.
During a campaign stop in Waterloo, Ont. Monday morning at Sandowne Public School, Trudeau was asked about transit funding for the region. At the end of July, the province announced it had approved 17 projects under the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. In August, the federal government approved five of those projects, including the largest, which is a new bus maintenance and storage facility in Waterloo.
Trudeau did not answer when the funding for the additional 12 projects might flow, but he said in the four years his party was in power, the Liberals had the "most ambitious infrastructure investment plan in the history of this country," with plants to spend $180 billion over 10 years.
"We also recognize that the federal government in Ottawa is not the best place to define exactly what the local needs are facing communities here in Kitchener-Waterloo and the region," he said.
"We are there as a federal government to be partners on the transit needs and the infrastructure needs of communities and we're looking forward to continue to invest in the future of K-W and indeed, regions across southwestern Ontario."
Trudeau warned the Conservatives were proposing cuts and will not invest in "ambitious infrastructure projects" like the kind Waterloo region needs.
Conservatives pledge to be 'full partners'
When Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer was in Waterloo region in August, during an interview with CBC Kitchener-Waterloo he said he is a "big believer" in public transit.
He said the Conservatives have pledged to be "full partners in funding municipal infrastructure making sure that public transit is a priority."
Scheer said he's also heard concerns from people about getting around the province.
"When I talk to people in this area, all throughout southwestern Ontario, a big quality of life issue is how much time people lose in traffic. That can be addressed with public transit as it can also be addressed with more efficient road systems as well," he said.
Classroom stop
Before announcing his plans to help parents pay for before-and-after school care, Trudeau joined the school's closed-circuit morning announcements.
He urged students to use the year ahead to get involved in their school whether through clubs or sports teams. He also gave a shout-out to the teachers and said he knew how hard they work, having been a teacher himself.
Trudeau also visited a French immersion class. He sat down with students who were doing math activities and at one table, Trudeau was asked for a round of hugs.
The federal election will be on Oct. 21.
CBC News breaks down photo-ops and what goes in to ensuring they aren't derailed. You can watch that video here:
