Government of Canada to invest C$843 million to help TransLink and OC Transpo improve public transit infrastructure

The government of Canada will be investing C$843 million (US$585.4 million) through the Canada Public Transit Fund to help TransLink in North Vancouver, B.C., and OC Transpo in Ottawa, Ontario, upgrade, replace or modernize its public transit infrastructure. The funding will be distributed over the course of 10 years from 2026 to 2036. The funding is conditional on both agencies submitting capital plans and the subsequent signing of a funding agreement. 

TransLink 

TransLink will be receiving C$663 million (US$460.4 million) in transit funding from the government of Canada to improve Metro Vancouver’s public transit infrastructure. 

“TransLink is grateful for the federal government’s continued capital funding commitments through the Canada Public Transit Fund, which will allow us to upgrade our current infrastructure. We are ready to meet the demands of our growing region through the access for everyone plan and look forward to continuing work with the government of Canada to advance much-needed transit expansion in Metro Vancouver,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. 

“Federal investments in Metro Vancouver transit over the past decade have been critical to the success of TransLink’s system. Looking ahead, the Canada Public Transit Fund will be instrumental in delivering the new bus rapid transit line connecting the North Shore to Metrotown. Today’s announcement of baseline funding is the first step in securing this necessary federal contribution, with approval of the second step – the Metro Regional Agreement – needed by March to keep the project on track,” said North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan. 

OC Transpo 

OC Transpo will be receiving C$180 million (US$125 million) in transit funding from the government of Canada to improve the city of Ottawa’s public transit infrastructure and maintain it in a state of good repair. 

“Investing over $180 million (US$125 million) over the next 10 years to improve public transit in Ottawa will make it easier for people across our city to get to work, shop and visit family and friends. As we build more homes and grow our communities we need a strong public transit system now and for generations to come,” said Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Ottawa South David J. McGuinty. 

“The funding announced today will help Ottawa in a number of important areas, including closing the systemic gap in our transit budget. The transit funding ensures we can maintain and improve service for our rapidly growing city. We will continue to work with the federal government on a number of other shared priorities in the weeks ahead, as we continue to tackle financial pressures and strive to build a better city for all our residents,” said Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.