Government of Canada to award more than C$149.5 million in transit funding

The government of Canada will be awarding more than C$148.8 million (US$103.2 million) in transit funding through the Canadian Public Transit Fund to the cities of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Barrie, Ontario; and Saint John and Dieppe, New Brunswick, from 2026 to 2036. The government of Canada will also award the town of Montague, Prince Edward Island, C$650,000 (US$450,853) through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF). 

City of Winnipeg 

The city of Winnipeg will be receiving more than C$120 million (US$83.2 million) over the 10- year period to support greater density near transit in the cities of Winnipeg, Brandon and Selkirk, Ontario. The funding will provide predictable, long-term transportation support for those communities. 

“Getting where you need to go should be quick, easy and affordable. This funding will help modernize transit in Winnipeg, Brandon and Selkirk—saving people time, lowering costs for riders and making it easier to connect to jobs and services,” said Minister of Sport and Minister Responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada Terry Duguid.  

“Reliable, long-term transit funding is essential for Winnipeg’s growth. With our new transit network launching this summer, this investment comes at the right time, helping us build a more frequent, reliable and efficient system that better connects people to jobs and services,” said Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham. 

City of Barrie 

The city of Barrie will receive an annual funding allocation amounting to more than C$11 million (US$7.6 million) over the 10-year period. 

“We are committed to building affordable, connected and sustainable communities across the country. The federal government’s investments in Barrie will make a big difference,” said Canada’s Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Nathaniel Erskine-Smith. 

“High-quality public transit makes life more affordable and connects our communities. This investment of C$11 million over 10 years will allow us to upgrade, replace and maintain our transit infrastructure, ensuring a modern, reliable and efficient system for our residents. On behalf of the city of Barrie, I want to thank Minister Erskine-Smith and the government of Canada for their ongoing commitment to improving public transit in our community,” said Barrie Mayor Alexander Nuttall. 

City of Saint John 

The city of Saint John will be receiving C$6.3 million (US$4.4 million) during the 10-year period to support the Saint John Transit Commission and the Saint John Urban Tree project. The city will also be receiving more than C$770,000 (US$534,093) to plant more than 1,100 trees across the municipality. 

“As Saint John continues to grow, it is important that we invest in infrastructure that not only makes it easy to get around but also makes our neighborhoods desirable places to live. Our government is proud to support the Saint John Transit Commission and the Saint John Urban Tree Project to make lives better for those who live, visit and work in our city,” said Member of Parliament for Saint-John Rothesay Wayne Long.  

“This funding is a crucial step toward enhancing our city’s infrastructure, ensuring that our public transit system and green spaces can meet the needs of a growing community. By improving transit and planting over 1,100 trees, we’re fostering a more sustainable and connected Saint John. This investment highlights our ongoing partnership with the federal government to create a stronger, more vibrant city for all residents,” said Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon. 

City of Dieppe 

The city of Dieppe will be receiving C$11.5 million (US$8 million) in transit funding for the cities of Dieppe and Moncton, New Brunswick, transit systems. 

“Investing in public transportation not only makes the daily commute easier and more accessible for residents, it also reduces emissions, expands housing options and strengthens community ties. Today’s announcement of long-term, high-quality and affordable public transit solutions will have a positive impact on our communities for decades to come,” said Canada’s Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc. 

“As our city grows, access to public transit is more important than ever. Thanks to this investment from the federal government, we can continue to improve the performance of our network and meet the growing travel needs of our residents. With a goal of one car per household, Dieppe is reducing its collective environmental footprint through optimized public transit service. Thank you to the government of Canada for its support in developing a transportation network that reflects the needs and expectations of our community,” said Dieppe Mayor Yvon Lapierre. 

Town of Montague 

The town of Montague will be receiving C$650,000 (US$450,853) from the government of Canada to help the Provincial Credit Union, Transportation East Inc., purchase four wheelchair accessible and two hybrid vehicles to expand their on-demand transit services in Kings County. The government of Canada says investments will enhance the quality of life of residents while making it easier for transit users to go about their day-to-day activities, including going to work, attend medical appointments, participate in social activities and visit loved ones. 

Along with the C$650,000 from the government of Canada, the province of Prince Edward Island is investing C$25,000 (US$17,345) and the remaining C$110,240 (US$76,467) is from Transportation East Inc. and the Rotary Club of Montague Eastern PEI. 

“Our government is proud to support this project, which will allow Transportation East Inc. to offer more accessible and affordable transit options to folks in Eastern Prince Edward Island. This investment will help build a transit system where more Islanders can get around their communities and go about their day-to-day activities,” said Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan Lawrence MacAulay. 

“Through the partnership with RTSF, Transportation East has been able to expand our service area from Montague and its surrounding areas to include Georgetown, Souris, Eastern Kings, Morell and all nearby regions. This significant growth allows us to reach more individuals in need of affordable, accessible transportation,” said Transportation East Inc. Coordinator Lisa Chaisson. “Having access to our service is improving the quality of life of our passengers and it fosters a greater sense of community and belonging for all. Without this funding, we would not have been able to expand our service to this scale.  The funding we received made a remarkable impact on the services we provide to the residents of Eastern PEI, and we are thankful for this. We continue to strive for excellence in our service delivery, and we are excited about the positive changes this expansion brings. We look forward to continuing our work for the betterment of our community.”