The federal government announced $14.9 billion in transit funding on Feb. 10 to be shared by municipalities across the country over eight years, including $3 billion in permanent annual funding beginning in 2026. The amount of short-term funding allocated to Edmonton has not yet been announced, but Taproot will provide updates as they become available.
- "Today’s announcement is a landmark investment in the post-#COVID recovery Canadians need. Investing in transit creates jobs, shortens commutes, reduces emissions. Transit is the backbone of livable, competitive cities," tweeted Mayor Don Iveson about the news. The mayor also spoke at the federal announcement.
- "The funding includes $5.9 billion in short-term funding that will be disbursed on a project-by-project basis, starting this year," said CBC News.
- "The city can continue to plan and build out the LRT network to areas like Castle Downs and Heritage Valley," wrote CTV Edmonton.
- "Another project that could benefit is the planned Capital Line South extension to Ellerslie Road. Preliminary design work on the project is complete and the city was awaiting funding to be able to move forward on construction," reported the Edmonton Journal.
- Other local politicians responded positively to the announcement as well.
- "Excellent news for the Edmonton Metro Regional Transit Commission," said Mayor of St. Albert Cathy Heron.
- Edmonton councillor Bev Esslinger said: "Many in North West are looking forward to LRT and today’s announcement is good news to moving it forward."
- As for next steps: "Now we just need to get the permanent transit funding reintroduced by #ableg. Once permanent funding is place from both orders of government, municipalities can more easily make long-term public transit decisions," tweeted Coun. Andrew Knack.