Ensuring long-term predictable public transit funding for the Halifax Regional Municipality with over $55 million through the Canada Public Transit Fund

DARTMOUTH, NS, March 3, 2025 /CNW/ - By working closely with its partners across Canada, the federal government is ensuring that more Canadians will be able to live near public transit, connecting them to jobs, services, and their communities.

Today, Minister Darren Fisher, MP Lena Metlege Diab, and Mayor Andy Fillmore announced a federal investment of more than $55 million in transit funding for the Halifax Regional Municipality, providing predictable and long-term funding, tied to greater density near transit.

Through the new Canada Public Transit Fund's Baseline Funding stream, Halifax Regional Municipality will receive an annual funding allocation amounting to over $55 million over 10 years. Funding will upgrade, replace, or modernize the municipality's public transit infrastructure, and maintain it in a state of good repair.

This investment, beginning in 2026 until 2036, will help increase the housing supply and affordability as part of complete, transit-oriented communities, while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Quotes

"Stable and predictable funding for public transit is essential to keeping our communities connected and our economy moving. This $55 million investment will help modernize our municipality's transit system, reduce congestion, and support housing growth near transit. By making smart, long-term investments, we're building a more accessible, efficient, and sustainable future for residents across the Halifax Regional Municipality."

The Honourable Darren Fisher, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour

"The federal government is committed to building high-quality and affordable public transit in cities and municipalities across Canada. This new long-term funding will improve transit in the Halifax Regional Municipality, making it easier for residents to get around without a car, which both lowers our carbon footprint and makes life more affordable."

Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West

"Public transit is the backbone of a thriving, sustainable and inclusive city. This long-term, predictable investment in Halifax's transit system will improve service for residents and support the creation of more transit-oriented communities across the municipality, allowing us to modernize our transit infrastructure to meet the growing needs of our region."

His Worship Andy Fillmore, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality

Quick Facts

• The Halifax Regional Municipality will receive $55 million over ten years from 2026 to 2036. Federal funding is conditional on the submission of a capital plan and the signing of a funding agreement between the recipient and Canada.
• The Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) is the largest public transit investment in Canadian history. It is designed to meet the unique needs of communities of all sizes, from large metropolitan areas to mid-size and smaller communities, including rural, remote, northern and Indigenous communities.
• Provincial and municipal partners in Nova Scotia are also developing an Integrated Regional Plan for the Halifax region in order to apply for funding through the Metro-Region Agreement stream of the Canada Public Transit Fund. This is a new approach to federal government investment in public transit and active transportation that will deliver an average of $2 billion annually in predictable funding in Canada's largest metro-regions. To support these efforts, the federal government is providing $1.2 million for activities that will advance the development of Halifax's Integrated Regional Plan.
• Since 2015, the federal government has committed over $30 billion for public transit and active transportation projects. These historic investments have resulted in close to 2000 projects across the country.
• Starting in 2026-27, the CPTF will provide an average of $3 billion a year in permanent funding that will respond to local needs by enhancing integrated planning, improving access to public transit and active transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable, sustainable, and inclusive communities.
• The CPTF supports transit and active transportation investments through three streams:
  • Metro-Region Agreements offer a new way for the federal government, provinces and municipalities to collaborate together. These agreements will support the long-term development of public transit infrastructure in large urban areas. Through these agreements, the federal government will allocate funding and work with our partners to support the planning and construction of public transit. This funding is about promoting liveable communities with accessible public transit and attainable housing.
  • Baseline Funding will deliver on the federal government's commitment to provide stable, predictable support that communities with existing transit systems across Canada are seeking for routine capital investments, expansion, and state of good repair projects.
  • Targeted Funding will provide support targeting specific public transit projects, including active transportation, rural and remote transit, and transit solutions in Indigenous communities, as well as electrifying public transit and school transportation. Targeted funding will be delivered through periodic calls for applications that will enable the federal government to adapt to evolving priorities and community needs.
• The new Fund also provides tangible solutions on how to best leverage transit investments to support housing and environmental objectives, particularly in large metropolitan areas. Climate resilience, social inclusion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and considering how local transit systems impact housing supply are now integral parts of regional planning.

Associated Links

Canada Public Transit Fund
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/cptf-ftcc/index-eng.html 

Prime Minister news release: The largest public transit investment in Canadian history
https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2024/07/17/largest-public-transit-investment-canadian-hist 

Housing and Infrastructure Project Map
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html 

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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Sofia Ouslis, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Public Affairs Office, Corporate Communications, 902-490-5940, [email protected]