Cutting Red Tape and Getting Infrastructure Projects Up and Running: PM Announces Evergreen Rapid Transit Line

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Thank you James for that kind introduction.

Your hard work and determination played a large role in today’s announcement. 

So thank you. 

Greetings also to Premier Campbell,

Minister Falcon,

The CEO of Translink, Tom Prendergast,

The President and CEO of BC Rapid Transit Company, Doug Kelsey,

And to my Parliamentary colleagues Alice Wong, Randy Kamp, and Senator Martin. 

As we all know too well, the world is struggling with the worst economic crisis in generations.

And while we in Canada are faring better than many countries, we are far from immune to the economic difficulties that are sweeping the globe.

At the same time, here is a saying going around: "A crisis is terrible thing to waste."

For Canada, this crisis does represent an extraordinary opportunity to invest in today’s needs and, in the process, to prepare our country for renewed growth and greater prosperity when the recovery comes, as it inevitably will.

Last month, I met with Premier Campbell and the other First Ministers so that we would coordinate our efforts across all levels of government to stimulate our economy today by investing in the future.

Consensus on one issue was very clear: We all want to put Canadians to work now building the bridges, roads, and public transit facilities needed to generate long-term economic growth tomorrow. 

Our national Economic Action Plan does just that.

From coast to coast to coast, we’re working with provinces and territories to cut red tape and get projects up and running.   

Here in the Lower Mainland we’re moving forward on several ambitious infrastructure initiatives.

As our gateway to India, China, and the rest of the Asia-Pacific, British Columbia has a unique role to play in building the Canada of the future.

That’s why it’s so imperative that we continue to build the infrastructure needed to speed the flow of people and goods through the Lower Mainland.

Today I’m pleased to announce in partnership with Premier Campbell, the Government of British Columbia, and Translink, a major new public transit project that will help move this region and this country forward.

We will build the Evergreen Line. 

Connecting Burnaby to Coquitlam via Port Moody, this project will create thousands of well-paying construction jobs, ease congestion, and accommodate future growth in the Lower Mainland.

Premier Campbell will share with you additional details, but I want to make it clear that today’s announcement isn’t simply about a new rapid transit link or the jobs it will create, it is also about where we’re heading as a country.

As the world struggles with the effects of the global recession, we as Canadians are looking ahead.

We are using our strong balance sheets to aggressively fund initiatives during this recession - in communities all across this country - that will generate wealth in the years to come.

I would like to again thank Premier Campbell for his leadership in partnering with us on this and other important projects to achieve real results not just for British Columbians, but for all of Canada.

By looking forward today and investing in key infrastructure like public transit, we are seizing the opportunities that will help get us through tough times, and ensure this country emerges stronger than ever.

Thank you. 

I’d now like to invite Premier Campbell to the podium to give us more details about today’s announcement.   

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