Windsor, Ontario, July 7, 2020—The health and well-being of Canadians are the top priorities of the Governments of Canada and Ontario. But the COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than Canadians’ personal health. It is having a profound effect on the economy.

That is why governments have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done.

Strategic investments in public transportation infrastructure play a key role in supporting affordable and sustainable transportation services that allow Ontarians to get to work, school and essential services on time, and safely back home at the end of the day.

Today, Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor─Tecumseh and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Rick Nicholls, Member of Provincial Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, on behalf of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; his Worship Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor; and his Worship Gary McNamara, Mayor of Tecumseh, announced funding for nine projects that will better connect Windsor residents to public transit, encourage active transportation, and improve the quality of the public transit system overall, as well as one multi-purpose pathway project in Tecumseh.

In Windsor, the purchase of 19 buses will allow the city to replace 16 buses that have exceeded their useful life, while expanding the fleet’s capacity by 3 buses to meet system needs. Additionally, the construction and rehabilitation of sidewalks, pathways and bike lanes throughout the city will make it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to commute to their destinations or to directly access public transit.

In Tecumseh, the construction of a new 3 kilometre multi-purpose pathway will link the Tecumseh Hamlet to the Tecumseh Transit Service, providing residents with easier access to public transit.

Together, these investments will make it easier for residents to get around their community safely while facilitating active transportation.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $12.6 million through the Public Transit Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Ontario is providing over $10.5 million, while the City of Windsor is contributing more than $25.1 million and the Town of Tecumseh is contributing $580,314.

Quotes

“Investing in modern public transit systems that are better connected to active transportation networks is essential to building the healthy, sustainable communities of tomorrow. Important upgrades to Windsor’s transit fleet as well as improvements to bike pathways and sidewalks in both Windsor and Tecumseh will make it easier for residents to access the services they need. These projects are great examples of working with our partners to build infrastructure that connects our communities and serves Canadians.”

Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor−Tecumseh and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“This is an exciting day for transit riders in our region. On behalf of Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott, I am extremely pleased to announce that we are investing over $10.5 million in new projects within the Windsor and Tecumseh communities.  Our government is addressing the need to further protect the safety of the people in these communities through road improvements and public transportation.”

Rick Nicholls, Member of Provincial Parliament for Chatham-Kent- Leamington

“I’m committed to helping make our community as accessible as possible for everyone. Through strategic investments in our 2019 and 2020 capital budgets, and City Council’s unanimous vote to adopt the Transit Master Plan, we are modernizing our Transit Windsor system. Our $3.7 million investment in transit fleet and infrastructure, combined with this generous financial support from our federal and provincial government partners, brings 19 new buses to our community helping us deliver on a promise to create new routes, more direct connections, extended hours, economic growth, improved customer service and a bigger, more modern fleet to better meet the needs of our growing community, while reducing the stress on our environment.”

His Worship Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor

“Our public transit project connects active transportation with our Tecumseh Transit service by building a multi-use trail on Lesperance Road between County Roads 22 and 42. This new trail will improve access to transit and established trail networks and fits perfectly with Council’s priority to expand the Town’s sustainable infrastructure.  The 2.4 m wide multi-use trail will be built along the west side of Lesperance, over a 3km stretch. We are excited to get this project underway in the next year and provide residents with better opportunities to access and use the transit service and stay active.”   

His Worship Gary McNamara, Mayor of Tecumseh

Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• $28.7 billion of this funding is supporting public transit projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

• Across the province, Ontario is investing more than $7.3 billion in public transit infrastructure over 10 years through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Backgrounder: Canada and Ontario invest in public transit and active transportation infrastructure for Windsor and Tecumseh residents

Joint federal, provincial, and municipal funding through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan will support 10 public transit projects in Windsor and Tecumseh, Ontario.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $12.6 million in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS). The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $10.5 million, while the City of Windsor is contributing more than $25.1 million and the Town of Tecumseh is contributing $580,314.

Project Information:

*The federal and provincial governments are each contributing the maximum share of eligible costs for these projects, which are 40% and 33.33% respectively as per the requirements of the Canada-Ontario Integrated Bilateral Agreement. Contributions from municipalities may include both eligible and ineligible costs. Ineligible costs are expenditures that municipalities have chosen not to request reimbursement for or that cannot be reimbursed (e.g., property purchases, overhead costs).   

Additional links:

Government of Canada Resources - Coronavirus disease (COVID 19)

Ontario COVID-19 Resources

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario

Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan

Ontario Builds Project Map

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Contacts

Chantalle Aubertin; Press Secretary; Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; 613-697-3778

Christine Bujold; Press Secretary; Office of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure; 416-454-1782

Sofia Sousa-Dias; Communications Branch; Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure; 437-991-3391

Andrew Teliszewsky; Chief of Staff; Mayor’s Office; City of Windsor; 519-990-3035

Lesley Reeves; Manager Strategic Initiatives; Town of Tecumseh; 519-735-2184 ext 150

Media Relations:

Infrastructure Canada 613-960-9251; Toll free: 1-877-250-7154

Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca

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