If you’ve spent any time in Calgary, you know how much transit matters. This is a growing city, and it needs infrastructure that can keep up.  

And that’s exactly why we’re here today. 

If you live in the south of the city, you know all too well that getting downtown can be a real problem. So today, I’ve got some good news to share. 

This fall, construction on Phase 1 of the LRT Green Line will begin in Calgary’s beltline and downtown.

We’re also looking forward to working with the province and the city on Phase 2, which would see the line extended to the north to reach people in this part of Calgary as well.

So what does this mean for you? 

To begin, it means a faster, cheaper commute.

No one wants to waste time and money idling in traffic.

This will help get you home to the kids sooner instead of stuck in traffic.

Of course, investing in a major project like this also means investing in workers to plan, build, and then operate the line.  

During construction and design, we’re creating 20,000 well-paying middle class jobs. And once it’s done, the Green Line will mean another 400 long-term positions for people in operations and maintenance.

Better public transit and new jobs – that’s what today’s announcement will deliver.

But of course, public transit projects like Calgary’s Green Line aren’t just good for people and the economy. Green infrastructure projects are good for the environment, too. 

Stage 1 of the Green Line will cut pollution by tens of thousands of tonnes each year.

That translates into cleaner air for this city.

Some politicians continue to say that we have to choose between climate action and jobs but a healthy environment and a strong economy really do go hand in hand.  

Of course, the over $1.5 billion we’ve invested in the Green Line is just one way we’re fighting climate change, creating middle class jobs, and supporting families here in Alberta.

I think of the millions of dollars we’ve invested in the Calgary Airport Trail project.

When I landed yesterday, I saw the great work happening.

And as Mayor Nenshi told me, the Airport Trail is close to opening.

That’ll mean easy access for things like trucks and a boost to the local economy.

Or take the announcement Minister Hussen made just here in Calgary yesterday. We’re investing in the Canada-Alberta Housing Benefit.  

This will help tens of thousands of low-income families make rent because everyone deserves a roof over their head.

For small businesses and for workers in Alberta, we’re investing too. Just like we’ve had people’s backs through this pandemic, we’re going to be there with the support you need to rebuild from this pandemic.

As a reminder, today is the first day to apply for the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program.

It's a program specifically designed to help hard-hit businesses hire the workers they need to recover and create the good jobs Canadians need to thrive.

To employers here in Alberta, and across the country, check it out at Canada.ca.

As a reminder, today is the first day to apply for the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program.

To employers here in Alberta, and across the country, check it out at Canada.ca.

As we move forward with the Wage Subsidy wind down, we actually created an incentive for small businesses to be able to hire on even more workers and make sure that our relaunching of the economy goes as quickly and as well as possible for everyone here in Alberta and right across the country.  

It’s designed to help you and your team succeed.

My friends, it all comes down to this:

Whether you’re a business owner, a commuter, a worker, or a parent – we’ve got your back.

I know the last year and a half has been tough. And last week alone, Calgary faced a heat wave, flash floods, and a hail storm.

We’re here for you.

We made billions in major investments that are getting results for Albertans.

We’ve supported everything from classrooms, to essential workers, to health care, and of course, vaccines are rolling out, too.

Over 78% of eligible Canadians have had a first dose, and over 42% have gotten a second dose. Add to that the fact that millions of vaccines are arriving this month, and there’s lots of reasons to be very hopeful.

We will beat this pandemic.

We will put this crisis behind us.

And with exciting projects like the Green Line, better days are definitely ahead.

Again, it’s great to be back in Calgary.

Thank you.