Manitoba Liberals put a priority on Public Transportation

This morning, I joined Manitoba Liberal leader Dougald Lamont and other Liberal candidates for an announcement that Manitoba Liberals put a priority  on Public Transportation and on the support for transit in Winnipeg and in other Manitoba communities. Investments in public transportation are critical to improve accessibility for all in Winnipeg as well as other Manitoba communities.  It is particularly important for those who do not have cars - including many students, seniors and newcomers.  It is also important as part of effective efforts to reduce greenhouse gas production 

MANITOBA LIBERALS WILL INVEST IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

WINNIPEG – Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont says that a Manitoba Liberal Government will restore the 50/50 funding agreement and tap into more than $500-million in dedicated federal funding to improve transit systems that the Pallister Government has left on the table.

Earlier this year, it was revealed the PCs left over $1.1-billion in federal infrastructure funding on the table for more than a year — including over $500-million earmarked for transit.

The Pallister Government also froze public transit operating funding in 2016, cancelled the 50/50 cost sharing for transit, and has refused to share cannabis revenue intended for municipalities.

The result has been reduced services in Brandon and increased fares in Winnipeg, even as municipalities are trying to keep up with greater demand for more sustainable and accessible public transit systems.

“Investing in better transit is about giving people greater choice, mobility, independence, and it’s also good for the environment,” said Lamont. “We are committed to working in partnership with municipalities to build something together that works and which has been broken under the current government.”

Lamont said Liberals will:

• Restore 50/50 provincial funding for transit to ensure fares remain affordable

• Ensure the province always “doubles its money” by making sure all federal funding dollars get matched

• Assist municipalities with the electrification of bus fleets, capitalizing on Manitoba manufacturers like New Flyer

The province made a last-minute announcement last month that they would finally be signing on to the “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program” which provides $3 billion from the Federal Government to Manitoba over 10 years, with no details. Lamont said that given the PCs history of signing agreements then ignoring them, it was an empty promise.

The Liberals also said they would fund green projects with funds from carbon revenue. As part of their Manitoba Liberal Plan for Green Renewal and Growth, Lamont says they would drop lawsuits against the Federal Government and return to the bargaining table to take back control and implement their own Made-in-Manitoba plan that conforms to the Paris Agreement Climate Change targets.