WHITEHORSE, YT, 21 August 2024 /CNW/ – There will be a new transit service to serve communities in and around Dawson City And Watson Lake To Whitehorse after a joint investment of more than 3.3 million US dollars by the federal government and First Kaska GP Ltd, the economic development corporation of the Liard First Nation.
Message from Member of Parliament Dr. Brendan HanleyCEO of First Kaska GP Ltd., Jasper Lamourelle, and Chief of the Liard First Nation, StephanieThe project includes two new stops, the purchase of seven transit vehicles and two transit garages.
The transit service will provide daily routes and connections between Whitehorse and the surrounding rural communities for years to come.
Quotes
“Improving transit services in the Yukon Connecting rural communities helps the northern regions to become stronger, more prosperous and more independent. It also brings people together and connects our territory. With the new transit service from Watson Lake And Dawson City To WhitehorsePeople in the north will be better connected and will be able to travel more easily and safely.”
Dr. Brendan HanleyMember of Parliament for Yukonon behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister for Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“Northern and Indigenous communities rely on transit routes to reach their destinations more efficiently and reliably. We welcome this investment to expand the existing transit service in Watson Lake, Dawson City And Whitehorse and will help improve people’s quality of life by giving them faster access to other communities for the things they need.”
Jasper Lamourelle, Managing Director, First Kaska GP, Ltd.
Quick Facts
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The federal government invests 3,000,000 USD in this project through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF) and First Kaska GP Ltd is contributing 303,000 US dollars.
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The RTSF helps Canadians living in rural and remote areas move more easily within their communities. It supports the development of rural transportation solutions, including new transportation service models that could be replicated or scaled up.
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The RTSF’s Capital Projects stream helps cover capital costs such as the purchase of vehicles or digital platforms, as well as assisting with the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. Eligible applicants could apply for contributions of up to 3 million US dollars to cover the capital costs of a new or expanded transit solution (e.g. purchase of vehicles or digital platforms) and up to 5 million US dollars to support zero-emission transit solutions (e.g. for the purchase of a zero-emission vehicle). This stream ended on February 28, 2024.
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The RTSF’s ongoing intake of planning and design projects remains open. Through this stream, eligible applicants can receive a grant of up to 50,000 US dollars to support community projects to plan and design a new or enhanced transportation solution for their communities. Some examples of eligible activities within planning and design projects include route and travel option assessments, feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement, and surveys.
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At least 10% of RTSF funds go to projects that benefit indigenous people and communities.
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One in five Canadians lives in rural communities. Rural communities in Canada account for almost 30% of the country’s gross domestic product.
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The RTSF complements Canada’s Enhanced Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Under this plan, the federal government has committed to providing federal funding for public transit to provide clean, affordable transportation options in every community.
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The new Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) will average 3 billion US dollars one year of permanent funding to respond to local transportation needs by improving integrated planning, increasing access to public transit and active transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable, sustainable and inclusive communities.
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The CPTF meets the needs of communities of all sizes, from large metropolitan areas to medium and smaller sized communities, including rural, remote, northern and indigenous communities.
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Since 2015, the Federal Government has 30 billion US dollars for public transport and active transport projects. These historic investments have resulted in nearly 2,000 projects across the country.
Related Links
Fund for rural transport solutions
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html
Strengthened climate plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
Federal infrastructure investments in Yukon
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/prog-proj-yt-eng.html
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Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
SOURCE Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Local Government
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2024/21/c1291.html
