Catherine McKenna

[Infrastructure and Communities, March 26th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, through the investing in Canada plan, we committed over $180 billion over 12 years to infrastructure that benefits Canadians: from public transit to trading ports, broadband networks to energy systems and community services to natural spaces. Five years into the plan, we have already invested $81 billion in over 67,000 projects, with 90% of them completed or under way.

My goal has always been to ensure multiple benefits from every dollar spent. That means jobs and growing the economy. That means more inclusive communities and that also means climate change. I certainly hope the party opposite supports that.

[Party Representation in the House, March 22nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, we will come back with additional comments shortly.

[Infrastructure, March 12th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Kitchener South—Hespeler for his commitment to public transit. Good transit, like the ION LRT in Kitchener-Waterloo, helps people get around the community whether they are heading downtown to the university or over to the Kitchener market. This is about getting cars off the road so that people do not waste time and money in traffic polluting our air.

Last month, our government announced almost $15 billion in new funding for public transit to support major projects like subways, LRTs, zero-emission buses, and bike and walking paths. That funding will start immediately so that we can create good jobs building out public transit all across Canada.

[Infrastructure, March 12th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question.

We are the first federal government to commit $400 million to building and expanding better pathways and bike lanes.

Active transportation is fun, healthy and better for the environment. It helps Canadians save money and makes communities more accessible and more connected. The projects can be done quickly, and they create jobs and foster economic development, while leaving communities healthier and more connected.

[Criminal Code, March 11th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, in relation to the consideration of the Senate amendments to Bill C-7, an act to amend the Criminal Code on medical assistance in dying, I move:

That the debate be not further adjourned.

[Infrastructure, February 26th, 2021]

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Vimy for the question. There is no question that municipalities need predictable funding for public transit in order to plan and develop projects to help people get around in a clean, quick and cost-effective way.

These historic investments in public transit seek to truly help Canadians get around more quickly and in a more green and affordable way while creating good jobs, fighting climate change and creating cleaner communities.

[Infrastructure, February 16th, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for Markham—Stouffville for her commitment to public transit.

I understand the pain of sitting in a traffic jam on the Don Valley Parkway. It wastes people's time while polluting our air. Last week, our government announced $15 billion in new funding for public transit as well as $3 billion ongoing, as permanent public transit money, to support major projects like subways, zero-emission buses and bike paths. This is about public transit that will help Canadians get around in faster, cleaner and more affordable ways.

[Infrastructure, December 10th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, once again we have the same question, and the answer will be the same. We continue to invest historic amounts in public transit. In fact, 13 times more than the previous government, which invested only $1 billion. We have invested $13 billion, and we continue to move forward.

We are looking forward to receiving from the Ontario government business plans for public transit projects, including the project in the member's riding. We need to create jobs. We need to go ahead, but we also need to be mindful of taxpayer dollars, and that is exactly what we are going to do as we rebuild our economy, create jobs and build a more sustainable future for Canadians.

[Infrastructure, November 16th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian government recognizes the importance of repairing the Quebec Bridge.

Yvon Charest was appointed as a special negotiator in the Quebec Bridge file in August 2019. The negotiator's job is to recommend options for restoring the Quebec Bridge, in collaboration with stakeholders.

This file remains a priority for the Government of Canada, and Mr. Charest and I share the same goal, which is to ensure that the Quebec Bridge meets the long-terms needs of the region. Mr. Charest's report is currently being analyzed. We will keep the members of the House informed of the results of that analysis and the next steps that should—

[Infrastructure, November 16th, 2020]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to reiterate, again, our commitment to public transit.

We have invested more than $13 billion, but let us look at the previous Conservative government. We have invested 13 times more, but what did the Conservatives call for in the last election? They called for cuts to public transit. I am not sure that they would be committed to the investments in public transit we so desperately need to make.

We are committed to the Yonge North subway extension, but we need to be accountable to taxpayers. We need to see a business case, and then we will move forward, because we want to create good jobs. We want to tackle climate change, and we want to build more inclusive communities.