REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM — Building public transit is essential to creating jobs and sustaining economic growth. To support these goals, we must prioritize measures that will build the public transit systems Canada needs now, and in the future. Investing in public transit supports Canadians through the pandemic, positions Canada for recovery by creating good jobs and supporting Canadian companies, and transforms our society for a cleaner, better future.
That is why, together, our governments are taking decisive action to help families, businesses and communities as they adapt to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ontarians need safe and reliable public transit to get to work and home, to appointments, to shop for essentials, and to conduct business. Strategic investments in public transportation infrastructure play a key role in delivering these services.
Today, Jennifer O’Connell, Member of Parliament for Pickering—Uxbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Mark Holland, Member of Parliament for Ajax; Ryan Turnbull, Member of Parliament for Whitby; the Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance and Member of Provincial Parliament for Pickering-Uxbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; the Honourable Rod Phillips, Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care and Member of Provincial Parliament for Ajax; Lorne Coe, Ontario’s Chief Government Whip and Member of Provincial Parliament for Whitby; and John Henry, Regional Municipality of Durham’s Chair and Chief Executive Officer, announced joint funding for the construction of dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) infrastructure in the City of Pickering.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $45.8 million in this project through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing over $38.1 million, and the Regional Municipality of Durham is contributing more than $30.5 million.
Funding for this project will go towards the construction of 7.5 km of dedicated median bus rapid transit lanes, 20 sheltered bus stops at 10 locations, and 7.5 km of bike lanes along Highway 2 in Pickering. The project is part of the Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit initiative, which will provide more frequent and reliable transit services to the Durham Region and the City of Toronto. Once completed, this project will provide residents with a safe and more accessible public transit system and enhanced active transportation options.
All orders of government continue to work together for the people of Ontario to make strategic infrastructure investments in communities across the province when needed most.