Construction completed at the new Allandale Waterfront GO Station

January 29, 2012

SPEAKING NOTES FOR MP PATRICK BROWN

ON BEHALF OF THE HONOURABLE
DENIS LEBEL, MINISTER OF TRANSPORT,
INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITIES

TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE ALLANDALE GO STATION

BARRIE, ONTARIO

January 29, 2012

Thank you.  I’m delighted to be here on behalf of the Government of Canada to mark the completion of the Allandale GO station.

Today is a great day for Barrie. This project is an important part of the GO Transit Improvement Program.  It will help increase economic growth and improve commuter service in Barrie and surrounding areas for years to come.

I’m especially pleased to see representatives from the City of Barrie here today, as well as our partners in this project, the Government of Ontario and Metrolinx.

We know the importance of working together when it comes to delivering results for Canadians.  Together, we are investing in projects that create local jobs, boost the economy, and at the same time improve access to safe, efficient, and reliable public transit.

As you can see, the new station features all new design and construction here in the waterfront area, along with a new platform, new signals and track extension.  It’s an impressive undertaking and one the citizens of Barrie can take pride in.

Since 2006, our government has made unprecedented investments in public transit – investments that are delivering results across Canada and right here in Barrie.

 

Through the Building Canada Plan,

the Government of Canada is contributing $2.75 million to this project.

This contribution is part of a larger $500 million joint investment in GO Transit between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, announced in February of 2009.

The new Allandale GO stations is the fulfilment of a commitment—one that will have important benefits for the people living and working here.

First, it improves options for those looking to use public transit.  The new stop will extend access to GO service into downtown Barrie, which will in turn increase ridership on the Barrie line.

Second, it will cut down on congestion by getting more people out of their cars and onto public transit.

And third, it will help to keep our air clean and improve the quality of life for those who live here.

Most of all, it contributes to economic prosperity in the region by providing jobs – our government’s top priority.

In the recent election, our government received a strong mandate from Canadians to focus on the economy, eliminate the deficit and keep taxes low.  But most of all, Canadians sent a clear message that they wanted us to continue to create jobs.  Since July 2009, our strategy has worked to create 600,000 new jobs across the country.

Our government believes that investing in infrastructure projects like the Allandale station is one of the best ways to create jobs for Canadians.

We are proud of our record on job creation, and we will continue to make strategic infrastructure investments and implement our plan to create the right conditions for long-term economic prosperity.And our government will continue to work with our partners to improve public transit infrastructure here in Barrie and right across Canada—just as we’re doing today.

Thank you to everyone for their hard work in making this great project a reality.