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Hello everyone,

I am so happy to be joined virtually this morning by our outstanding Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Catherine McKenna, and by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jonathan Wilkinson.

Jonathan, I know it’s early for you in Vancouver but we’re glad you can join us.

We’re also joined today by the Chairperson of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Tamara Vrooman, and by Mayor Iveson of Edmonton, who are both also up early this morning.

It’s good to see you all.

In the last year, the pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty in the world.

From the start, our government has been here to help Canadians through the crisis.

There have been ups and downs, but with every challenge, we worked together to find solutions.

Now more than ever, we know that the best remedy for uncertainty is to develop solid, reliable plans for the future.

That is why, today, I want to talk about our plan to invest in infrastructure, specifically public transit.

No one likes to be stuck in traffic getting to work or taking the kids to soccer practice.

In fact even for people working from home right now, I know the one thing you definitely don’t miss is spending long hours commuting.

We need efficient and modern public transit systems that make our communities more connected.

So to help restart the economy and create strong, middle class jobs – all while fighting climate change – I can announce today that we are investing almost $15 billion for new public transit projects over the next eight years.

And because we recognize that communities need predictable funding to be able to effectively plan ahead, this includes a permanent public transit fund of $3 billion a year ongoing, starting in 2026.

These investments will support major public transit projects like new subway extensions, and help electrify fleets with zero-emission vehicles.

They will also be used to meet the growing demand for walkways and paths for cycling, and help rural and remote communities deliver projects to meet their mobility challenges.

Today’s announcement is a big step forward.

But of course, our commitment to investing in infrastructure is nothing new.

Since 2015, our government has invested more than $13 billion in public transit projects across the country.

These investments were used to construct more than 240 km of new metro and light rail lines, purchase more than 300 zero-emission buses and create more than 500 km of active transportation trails for pedestrians and cyclists.

And in collaboration with partners and with all orders of government, we will continue to make smart investments that have a real, positive impact in your life, and in the lives of people across the country.

Better public transit means a better quality of life for everyone.

It means less traffic, less pollution and greater mobility to get where we need to go.

Investments like those we’re announcing today are also part of our plan to create jobs and encourage our manufacturing sector here at home.

Everyone comes out a winner.

Canadian workers ‒ whether in Thunder Bay, Kingston, or Saint-Jérôme ‒ produce some of the world’s best buses, subways, and light-rail trains.

Nova Bus in Saint-Eustache and New Flyer Industries in Winnipeg are just two examples of innovative companies that have been moving towards battery electric transit solutions with great success.

We will continue to stand behind our workers and make Canada’s transit manufacturing even stronger.

While these investments are good for the economy and crucial to our recovery from the global crisis, they’re also helping us achieve our climate goals.

As we said when we presented our strengthened climate plan in December, the development of public transit will help us exceed our 2030 target and put us squarely on a path to net-zero by 2050.

Every day, millions of Canadians commute to work or school, whether by metro, bus, a train to the suburbs or on a cycling path.

We are all looking forward to the end of the pandemic and having reason again to go out more often.  

Public transit is for commuting to work, but also for going to see hockey games with friends, attending a concert, visiting grandparents, going to the park, and visiting a museum.

When the pandemic is over, all these activities will finally go back to normal.

Our priority is to keep fighting COVID-19 and protecting people.

While we’re doing that, we’re preparing for recovery with investments that will create jobs and build a cleaner, stronger Canada.

Building a sustainable future while putting people back on the job and growing the economy is a win-win for everyone.

And today’s investment will help us do just that.

This is what real climate action looks like.

And it’s what a solid plan for more jobs and a better recovery looks like, too.

This pandemic hasn’t been easy, but there are better days just around the corner, and a better Canada for all of us.

We’ll get there together.

Thanks very much.