Canada’s Economic Action Plan - Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces improvements for Tri-Cities Commuters

September 02, 2010

Kitchener, Ontario – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced a significant investment in a rapid transit project for the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge area that will improve public transit and support the regional economy.
 
“Supporting the construction of the Kitchener-Waterloo rapid transit lines will stimulate the local economy and make life easier for working families in this growing region,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.  “We want to make sure commuters get home to their families at the end of the workday as quickly and as safely as possible.  Projects like this will pay dividends for our economy and our communities long into the future.” 
 
The Region’s plan, when completed, will include a new light rail rapid transit system between the cities of Waterloo and Kitchener, connecting Conestoga Mall to Fairview Park Mall.  The plan also includes the addition of rapid bus transit from Kitchener to the Ainslie Street Terminal in Cambridge. 
 
“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our Government is providing two years’ worth of stimulus, here in the Tri-Cities and across the country, making sure Canada emerges from the global recession stronger than ever,” Prime Minister Harper added.  “Making long-term investments in communities will keep Canada growing.  Improving the efficiency of public transit has a real, long-term and positive economic impact.”
 
The Government is providing support for this new rapid transit system through the Building Canada Plan. The rapid transit plan announced today is expected to begin operating by 2015. 
 


Backgrounder

CANADA’S ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN
 
KITCHENER-WATERLOO-CAMBRIDGE RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT

The Harper Government will provide one-third of eligible costs, up to $265 million, to support the construction of the rapid transit project for the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge region.  The Government will support the project through the Building Canada Plan, which was accelerated through Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP).  When completed, the new light rail rapid transit will run between the cities of Waterloo and Kitchener, and include bus rapid transit service from Kitchener to Cambridge.  The rapid transit plan announced today is expected to begin operating by 2015. 
 
The Government’s funding is conditional on the submission of final plan details by Waterloo Regional Council, and on the signing of a project-specific contribution agreement. 
 
The Government has already announced 83 EAP projects in the Tri-Cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, strengthening the region’s economy and securing its long-term growth and prosperity.  Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Harper Government is investing in Canadian families and businesses to build stronger communities, modernize Canada’s infrastructure and create jobs.  EAP projects are supporting local economies and benefiting workers across the country, helping Canada emerge from the recession stronger, with a modernized, greener infrastructure to build the economy of tomorrow. 
 
Since July 2009, Canada’s Economic Action Plan has contributed to the creation of nearly 400,000 net new jobs in the Canadian economy.  Likewise, the Building Canada Fund advances national priorities that are important to all Canadians — a stronger economy, better communities and a cleaner environment — while addressing local and regional infrastructure needs.