Toronto—Last month, the federal government said public transit was an important way to fight climate change. But this month, it’s allowing New Brunswick to take money allocated for low-carbon public transit so it can build roads instead.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association today urged Infrastructure Minister Dominic Leblanc to reverse the decision and make clear that money allocated for public transit stays with public transit.

“Allowing New Brunswick to help people drive more instead of taking public transit is wrong,” said Marco D’Angelo, CUTA’s president. “Money that’s allocated to build public transit should build public transit to keep cities moving and lower emissions. But only weeks after releasing a climate plan that speaks about the importance of public transit in the fight against climate change, Ottawa is helping New Brunswick shift transit funds to build roads.”

CUTA is worried that other provinces—like Manitoba, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Saskatchewan—that also have unspent transit funds will also want to build roads with that money, further increasing emissions. Of the $165 million available to New Brunswick to invest in public transit, only 1.4% has been spent.

For further information:

Alex Krause

Communications & Public Affairs Specialist

[email protected]

519.835.8345