Support for Public Transit

Michael Simms — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:20:54 +0000

Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Investing in public transit is
a good thing for the economy and a good thing for the environment.
Such investment is consistently ranked at the top of possible green
stimulus investment. It is one of the best ways of improving
economies, setting the stage for decades of green growth. To the
Minister of Transportation: how did the minister fail so badly to
advocate for transit spending that Albertans will end up with only
$10 million of guaranteed money going towards public transit?
Mr. Ouellette: Well, Mr. Speaker, it just always amazes me how
they can always pick up some unbelievable, negative point when
they don’t even understand what the program is to begin with.
There’s $10 million in this budget this year. We’re just out on the
second round of consultations right now. This is a pay-as-you-go
situation, and no matter what would get approved, it doesn’t need all
the money in the first year.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was $2 billion, and $2
billion could have gone a long way to improve our public transit
system.
When the budgets are tight, value for money is key. What studies
does the minister have to show that the value that public transit
offers with its stimulus role and its emissions reduction is worth such
a low commitment of $10 million?
Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, first of all, Green TRIP was never ever
put out there to be part of a stimulus package of any kind. It was
there to reduce greenhouse gases by getting rid of tailpipe emissions,
and we’re still going to be waiting for the proper innovation to come
in and what type of public transit will work in putting bums in the
seats of public transit and getting cars off the road.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are so many projects
that are shovel ready. I think that with funding they could be started
right away, and that will stimulate the economy, create very badly
needed jobs. To the minister again: why is the minister so happy to
sign long-term, multibillion-dollar P3 debt contracts building roads
but completely fails to provide adequate funding for public transit?
Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, first of all, I’d like to explain to the
hon. member across there that public transit has always – always –
been the responsibility of municipalities. As our great leader, our
hon. Premier, announced, he has brought out $2 billion that was
going to be for public transit, to help all municipalities with their
transit to get rid of tailpipe emissions. We’re still saying that public
transit is a great thing, and we’re going to help municipalities with
that.

Calgary-McCall » Public Transit

Support for Public Transit