Ottawa, Quebec join forces to boost public transit funding
Benjamin Shingler | CBC News | Posted: July 5, 2016 12:05 PM | Last Updated: July 5, 2016
Agreement between Ottawa, Quebec and municipalities totals $2.5 billion over three years
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday a new funding deal with Quebec that will see the federal government contribute $1.2 billion toward public transit and waste water treatment improvements.
The money will be handed out over three years to projects in Montreal and across the province.
Nearly $924 million in federal funding will go to public transit, while $364 million will be earmarked for initiatives related to clean water and wastewater treatment.
"We are making smart, targeted investments that will improve the lives of Quebecers across the province," Trudeau told a news conference at an STM garage.
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and Mayor Denis Coderre were also on hand for the announcement.
In all, Trudeau said the agreement between Ottawa, the province and municipalities totals $2.5 billion over three years.
The funding announced Tuesday will go toward fixing existing infrastructure, while a second phase of funding for new projects, which could include the light-rail transit system or extension of the Metro line, will be announced later.
Couillard didn't offer a specific timeline for adding new stops on the Metro's Blue line.
Today's agreement builds on funding that had already been announced.
The federal government had previously committed to providing $775 million for public transit infrastructure in the Montreal area over the next three years.