(VICTORIA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party (Saanich—Gulf Islands), announced the Green Party’s plan to provide rail on Vancouver Island. The Green Party plans to provide federal funding to invest in rail connecting Victoria, Duncan, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, and Courtenay.
“Beyond boosting tourism and the economy, investing in high-quality Vancouver Island rail will reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and fatalities, provide a safe travel option for retired Islanders, and open up new housing options for those commuting to Victoria for work,” said May. “Green MPs in Parliament will drive this plan forward by working with colleagues across party lines to ensure Canada reinvests in time- and energy-efficient, affordable commuter rail on Vancouver Island.”
In January, Victoria was named the second-least affordable housing market in Canada. In 2013, Vancouver Island saw over 34,000 vehicle crashes, while the Nanaimo-Courtenay Highway is currently tied as the sixth deadliest highway in BC.
“The Vancouver Island rail line is community-owned by the Island Corridor Foundation and our vision is to achieve sustainable freight and passenger service on the Island,” said Judith Sayers, Co-Chair of the Island Corridor Foundation. “The Green Party is helping to make that vision a reality.”
Elizabeth May assisted in obtaining $10 million from Transport Canada for upgrades to the rail bed on the Island Corridor Railway from Victoria to Courtenay, but insists it’s still not enough. “We all know that $10 million is insufficient to restore daily service,” concluded May.
The Green Leader also emphasized the importance of strategic scheduling for commuters, so that service can put an end to the Colwood area’s traffic congestion problem, and of passing legislation to govern VIA Rail under a nationally-mandated framework.
B.C. Transit recently announced it is seeking public feedback on three proposed fare options, all of which would increase transit prices for youth and seniors.
“Higher transit fares will only make mobility more difficult for youth and seniors. Transit should be accessible and practical for all,” said Frances Litman, Green Party candidate (Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke) and Transport Critic. “The Green Party will rectify this by diverting $6.4 billion, of GST annually for municipal infrastructure funding to put an army of engineers to work creating green island transit.”
Greens will:
- Create a National Transportation Strategy to restore Canadian railways by investing $600 million in VIA Rail, increasing to $764 million by 2020;
- Pass legislation to create a national framework for VIA Rail, establishing its mandate by law;
- Create a National Sustainable Jobs Plan, including a $6.4 billion annual investment in infrastructure;
- Work with Canada’s renewable energy sector to accelerate the construction of green infrastructure, ensuring a majority of Canada’s energy needs come from renewable sources by 2025;
- Limit the amount of unprocessed oil and increase the amount of passengers transported by rail;
- Introduce strict new rail safety laws to ensure efficient and safe movement of persons and hazardous industrial goods including oil and gas; and
- Build more train cars, increase train speeds, and create green transportation and energy infrastructure corridors in key regions.
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca
Or
Kirsten Strom
Executive Assistant to Director of Communications
t: 613.562.4916 (200)
Toll Free 1.866.868.3447
kirsten.strom@greenparty.ca