Over $1 billion of federal funding allocated for public transit in Calgary, $878,000 for Edmonton

Alberta Infrastructure Minister Sandra Jansen and Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi sign the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan bilateral agreement.

The Canadian and Alberta government have signed a bilateral agreement that will provide more than $3.3 billion in federal funding for infrastructure projects through the Investing in Canada plan over the next decade, according to a press release.

These projects will be cost-shared by the Alberta government, municipalities and other partners to provide funding for  public transit, green infrastructure, recreational, cultural, and community infrastructure, as well as rural and northern communities.

These investments will have benefits for people in communities across the province, including:

  • faster commutes and travel times for more people, and easier movement of goods for businesses
  • cleaner air and water
  • reduced greenhouse gas emissions
  • smarter and more efficient cities
  • sustainable water management
  • enhanced public parks, recreational facilities and other spaces that make communities great places to live
  • better transportation and digital infrastructure for people living in remote communities

The funding builds on Alberta’s 2018 Capital Plan, which commits $26.6 billion over five years to support priority infrastructure projects across the province.

Across Canada, more than $33 billion in federal funding will be invested through new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories. Provinces and territories will develop three-year plans that will provide information on how they will implement their infrastructure projects.

“I am pleased that Alberta and the Government of Canada have reached an agreement that will benefit communities across the province for years to come. Investments in infrastructure are key to building a strong Canada – connecting people, creating good jobs for the middle class, and strengthening our economy and our communities for the future,” said Amarjeet Sohi, minister of infrastructure and communities.

Alberta will receive a total of $3,397,857,039 from 2018 to 2028.

“Today’s agreement will provide the long-term predictable funding required to meet the needs of all Albertans, from those living in busy city centres to remote rural towns,” said Sohi.

Sandra Jansen, Alberta minister of infrastructure, says the agreement provides communities of every size across the province the opportunity to drive economic growth and support families and businesses.

“This $3.3-billion investment in Alberta will support public transit, green infrastructure, cultural and recreational buildings, and help build rural and northern communities,” she said.

Under the $180-billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is signing new 10-year bilateral agreements with all provinces and territories that will see more than $33 billion in federal funding invested in infrastructure projects across the country.

The objective of these investments is to transform the way Canadians live, move and work across four priority areas: public transit; green infrastructure; community, culture, and recreation infrastructure; rural and northern communities.

Allocations by funding stream

Funding Stream

Allocation

Expected Outcomes at Project Completion*

Public Transit $2,096,548,228 to build new urban transit networks and service extensions that will transform the way Canadians live, move and work.
  • Improved capacity of public transit infrastructure
  • Improved quality and safety of existing and future transit systems
  • Improved access to public transit systems
Green Infrastructure $1,001,082,871 to support greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions; enable greater adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change and climate-related disaster mitigation, and ensure that more communities can provide clean air and safe drinking water for their citizens.
  • Increased capacity to manage more renewable energy
  • Increased access to clean energy transportation
  • Increased energy efficiency of buildings
  • Increased generation of clean energy
  • Increased structural capacity and increased natural capacity to adapt to climate change impacts, natural disasters and extreme weather events
  • Increased capacity to treat and manage wastewater and storm water
  • Increased access to potable water
  • Increased capacity to reduce or remediate soil and air pollutants
Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure $140,575,109 towards community, culture and recreation infrastructure to build stronger communities and improve social inclusion.
  • Improved access to and increased quality of community, cultural and recreational infrastructure for Canadians, including  Indigenous Peoples and vulnerable populations
Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure $159,650,831 to support projects that improve the quality of life in rural and northern communities by responding to rural and northern specific needs.
  • Improved food security
  • Improved and more reliable road, air and marine infrastructure
  • Improved broadband connectivity
  • More efficient and reliable energy
  • Improved education and health facilities that benefit Indigenous peoples (specific to Truth and Reconciliation Commission)

Outcomes will be obtained through projects, which will be communicated in more details as they are announced.

The Public Transit stream will provide provinces, territories and municipalities with funding to address the new construction, expansion, and improvement and rehabilitation of public transit infrastructure.

The table below provides an overview of the maximum federal transit allocations for the following recipients in Alberta

Recipient Maximum Transit Allocation
Calgary $1,089,076,848
Edmonton $877,984,551

Note that other recipients of transit allocations will be announced at a later date.

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