Details of the $33 billion "Building Canada" infrastructure plan

Lawrence Cannon, Minister of transport, infrastructure and communities.

On April 8, at a news conference following the Council of ministers responsible for transportation and highway safety, Lawrence Cannon, Minister of transport, infrastructure and communities, detailed actions taken by Transport Canada in partnership with the provinces and territories.

The "Building Canada" Infrastructure Plan is $33-billion worth of investments in roads, public transit, gateways, trade corridors and border crossings. It provides tools to modernize infrastructure right across the country while eliminating its weaknesses.

With regard to public transit, investments will amount to $1 billion per year. Projects such as the Windsor-Quebec high-speed rail studies recently launched with Quebec and Ontario governments are a step in this direction. In addition, the 2008 federal Budget included $500 million to support capital investments through the Public Transit Capital Trust.

In Quebec, the completion of Highway 30 between Vaudreuil-Dorion and Candiac will have totalled $1 billion. Moreover, the governments of Canada and Quebec will invest $75 million over five years to restore the infrastructure of shortline railways throughout the province. Under the Building Canada plan, Quebec will be provided with more than $5 billion.