A new Conservative government will prioritize critical infrastructure projects that shorten commute times like the George Massey Tunnel.
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer made that announcement Friday morning during a campaign stop in Coquitlam.
“Canadians are sick and tired of being stuck in traffic and waiting for delayed public transit,” said Scheer. “Canada’s Conservatives will get on with real projects that reduce congestion and deliver faster commute times for everyone, whether you drive or catch public transit.”
Examples of the type of projects that would be prioritized for funding include:
· The George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project
· The Ontario Line and the Yonge Subway Extension
· The third link between Quebec City and Levis.
Scheer pointed out how, despite making a $187-billion infrastructure spending commitment in the 2015 election, Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has failed to deliver important projects for Canadian commuters.
“He’s made billions in promises but hasn’t delivered. When it comes to getting shovels in the ground and getting projects built, Justin Trudeau is not as advertised,” Scheer said.
A new Conservative government will also restore transparency to infrastructure spending by scrapping Justin Trudeau’s $35-billion Infrastructure Bank which has been nothing but a waste of taxpayer dollars, adding countless layers of red tape, delaying desperately needed transportation infrastructure, and doing nothing to decrease commute times.
“As Prime Minister, I will ensure that all infrastructure projects that have already been committed to will move forward. Going forward, a new Conservative government will have a strategy in place to prioritize future transportation projects on whether they lower commute times and also provide more housing options for Canadians.”
At a recent kick-off event at her campaign office in Tsawwassen, Delta Conservative candidate Tanya Corbet talked about the need to replace the aging George Massey Tunnel.
“The traffic bottleneck on Highway 99 is a daily frustration for commuters in our community and impedes one of the most significant trade corridors in Western Canada. Despite the hard fought efforts of mayors, councillors, MLAs and chiefs, there remains no cohesive plan to replace the George Massey Tunnel. The Trudeau Liberals have done nothing to merge these efforts or provide leadership to address the traffic conditions,” she said.
“Today, I commit that within the first 100 days of being elected as the member of Parliament for Delta, I will convene a summit to bring these leaders together with the goal of reaching a clear roadmap for proceeding with a replacement of the George Massey Tunnel. When a project of such regional and national importance breaks down, it is up to the federal government and the local MP to provide the leadership required to get it back on track.”
