Greens want to get cities moving again

CALGARY – If elected, the Green Party will work with cities to improve Canada’s public transit infrastructure. Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party, made the comments following a meeting with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

“Yesterday the Federation of Canadian Municipalities told us that commuter gridlock has already cost our country $292 million and 2.7 million working days just since the start of this election. The environmental cost of all those cars crawling along, emitting greenhouse gases, is just as high,” said Ms. May. “Once again, environment and economy go hand in hand. The Green Party will help both by investing in our public transportation infrastructure.”

In its 2011 election platform, the Green Party has committed to establishing six permanent municipal superfunds. The superfunds will provide over $2.4 billion a year to assist Canadian cities. That includes support for mass transit.

Earlier in the election, the Green Party also announced it will reinvest in the Canadian rail system. This will include investing in high-speed rail lines on major corridors, such as between Calgary and Edmonton. This will speed inter-city commuter travel and reduce gridlock on Canadian highways.

“In this election the Green Party is talking about strong communities. Strong communities means working Canadians spending more time with their families and less time stuck in traffic,” said Ms. May.

Contacts:
Kieran Green
Director of Communications
C: 613-614-4916 
Kieran.green@greenparty.ca

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