Feds unveil first ever dedicated fund for active transportation
OTTAWA – Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna says for the first time Canada is to have a pool of money dedicated specifically to “active transportation.”
The National Active Transportation Fund, $400 million to be spent over five years, will nearly quadruple the amount of money Canada spent over the last five years building and upgrading bike paths, pedestrian walkways and bridges, and nature trails.
About $130 million has been spent since 2015 on 126 projects, including a new footbridge in Ottawa, a bikeway in Halifax and trails in Grouse Mountain Regional Park in Vancouver.
We’re investing in more cycling paths and trails to help Canadians stay healthy, enjoy nature, and connect with public transit while creating good jobs.
This funding will help build more multi-use paths for:
????????♀️ Cycling
????????♂️ Walking
???? Scooters
???? E-bikes
???????????? Wheelchairs pic.twitter.com/ptoxkDp354
— Catherine McKenna ???????? (@cathmckenna) March 12, 2021
But McKenna says those projects competed directly against public transit initiatives for the same pool of cash.
The new $400 million for the program is coming out of the $14.9 billion, eight-year public transit plan Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled last month.
But this money can only be used for active transportation projects.
Today, our govt announced our plan to create ????????’s first of-its-kind active transportation fund to invest $400 million in new & expanded community pathways, trails, and pedestrian bridges so folks can get around on foot, bikes, scooters, wheelchairs & e-bikes. #WalkCycleMove pic.twitter.com/7dmD3A2pJf
— Catherine McKenna ???????? (@cathmckenna) March 12, 2021
“There wasn’t a separate active-transportation fund,” she said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“It’s really a recognition that this is linked to public transportation.”
Building better public transit networks with electric buses and light-rail systems is fantastic but not everyone is going to live right next to such a network, said McKenna.
In Ottawa, she noted, the new light-rail system will eventually bring a train to within five kilometres of about 80 per cent of the city’s residents.
“But we need to get them to it,” she said.
Building pathways so people can bike to trains instead of driving their cars is good for everyone, said McKenna.
She is also working on a national active-transportation strategy and launching public consultation to help guide its development this week.
The new National Active Transportation Strategy – the first of its kind in Canada – will improve our communities by funding:
-bike lanes
-walking trails
-pedestrian bridges
-and more!https://t.co/muA2KGuVZk #BuildUp #EconomicResponse pic.twitter.com/8bUkhWX7Rf— Infrastructure Canada (@INFC_eng) March 12, 2021
Glad today Canada is better than it was 25 years ago; and with every move, we’ll be better tomorrow than we were before. @cathmckenna https://t.co/TCTG2TRP2F
— Toon_Dreessen (@Toon_Dreessen) March 13, 2021
Every investment we make in #infra for pathways and trails for cycling, walking, hybrid e-bikes and scooters, and wheelchairs creates healthier, more sustainable communities where Canadians can live, grow, and be active. #BuildUp pic.twitter.com/OoaOHJon2m
— Infrastructure Canada (@INFC_eng) March 12, 2021
FCM welcomes the announcement of Canada’s 1st dedicated National Active Transportation Fund & Strategy Framework. Municipalities of all sizes have been leaders in developing safe opportunities for Canadians to walk, bike + roll. #cdnmuni #cdnpoli @cathmckenna @AndyFillmoreHFX pic.twitter.com/W5M9iaVWLl
— FCM (@FCM_online) March 12, 2021
We applaud today’s @cathmckenna announcement to help build new and expanded networks of pathways, bike lanes, trails & pedestrian bridges. Let’s celebrate by enjoying all the great physical and mental health benefits that come with being active outside! https://t.co/zTdfZ30OPr
— participaction (@ParticipACTION) March 12, 2021
Today’s dedicated $400m fund for active transportation, along with the framework to develop a national strategy, is something city planners like me, municipalities, and advocates alike have been dreaming about for years.
Helmets off to every who worked to make today a reality. pic.twitter.com/DxG3mPJ82f
— Andy Fillmore, MP (@AndyFillmoreHFX) March 12, 2021
Très heureux de participer à cette belle annonce: 400M$ pour le transport actif! Very pleased to be part of this great announcement: 400M$ for active transportation @cathmckenna https://t.co/Y9R3eabWwA pic.twitter.com/98MtOHok57
— Steven Guilbeault @ ???? (@s_guilbeault) March 12, 2021
YES!!! All the keys! #ActiveTransportation pic.twitter.com/HByr2TIRMg
— Vélo Canada Bikes (@Canada_Bikes) March 12, 2021
We are thrilled with the $400 million Active Transportation Infrastructure Fund announcement. Sidewalks, paths, bike lanes & foot bridges will make it easier for people to work physical activity into their daily lives.@cathmckenna @AndyFillmoreHFX @CAA @EMcMahon_TCT @Canada_Bikes
— Heart & Stroke (@HeartandStroke) March 12, 2021
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2021.