Canada's NDP

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August 20th, 2019

The Liberal Party of Canada: an Incomplete and Unsustainable Vision for Transportation

Robert Aubin (Trois-Rivières), NDP Transport Critic and candidate in the October federal election, issued the following statement after the Prime Minister's visit:

"People in the greater Trois-Rivières region, like anyone who lives along the Québec-Toronto corridor, need access to affordable inter-regional public transit that will help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Trois-Rivières residents have been waiting for over 25 years for the return of the passenger train to their city. They thought a change of government and the appointment of a Minister in the region would bring good news, but they were let down.

Justin Trudeau's Liberal government promised to invest $1.28 billion to develop the REM network, $1.2 billion for the Québec City tramway, $2 billion for the Go Network in Ontario, and $1.5 billion for the Calgary Green Line through its Infrastructure Bank. But nothing for Trois-Rivières and other regions, other than studies and more studies.

The Liberal vision is incomplete and unsustainable. It appears to be nothing more than electoral calculations!

A comprehensive public transit strategy should include inter-city mobility. It’s clear that if I'm taking the train to another city, I will continue to travel by public transportation, but this is not always the case if I'm travelling by car. And, compared to the billions they invested in major urban centres, the Liberals are only offering a measly $71 million to the regions, for a research office, and with no guarantee that the high-frequency train project will move forward.

The NDP will move forward with a comprehensive high-frequency rail project. The people of Trois-Rivières want to play their part in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and they’ve been waiting long enough. We must have the courage to act for the good of our planet."