Governments of Canada and Ontario support engineering study for Peterborough Commuter Rail Link

PETERBOROUGH, ON, May 22, 2012 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Ontario announced funding today to support a preliminary engineering study on a commuter rail link between Peterborough and Toronto. Mr. Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough and Mr. Jeff Leal, Member of the Provincial Parliament for Peterborough, were joined by Mr. Tony Smith, founding president of the Shining Waters Railway, to confirm the successful negotiation of the funding agreements.

"I am very pleased to confirm federal funding for this study on restoring commuter rail to the Peterborough region," said Mr. Del Mastro. "Rail transit helps to cut commute times and ease traffic congestion, promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, and supports jobs and economic growth in our communities. Our government is proud to support informed decision-making on potential infrastructure investments such as this one."

"Our government is committed to making our communities more livable and knows how important transportation is to the communities in Peterborough and the Kawartha region," said Mr. Leal. "It is essential to local job creation, economic growth, and reduced congestion."

The study will include preliminary engineering design work and will determine the upgrades needed to existing railway track to operate a commuter rail service between Peterborough and Union Station in Toronto. The federal and provincial governments are each contributing 50 per cent of the cost of the study.

"The Board of the Shining Waters Railway is very excited to accept this funding for a preliminary engineering study," stated Mr. Smith. "We appreciate the support of both the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario."

This funding agreement follows the federal government's commitment in Budget 2011 to co-fund the study with Ontario, reaffirming its support for the Peterborough Commuter Rail Project. The federal contribution will be provided through the Building Canada Fund - Major Infrastructure Component, a program under the Building Canada Plan. Building Canada, the Government of Canada's infrastructure plan, has committed an unprecedented $33 billion in funding to infrastructure projects that are contributing to a growing economy, a cleaner environment, and more prosperous communities.

The Government of Ontario has invested $75 billion in infrastructure since 2003, which has helped create and preserve an average of nearly 100,000 jobs each year. The Province remains committed to infrastructure investments that will make Ontario's economy more productive and improve the quality of life for all Ontarians, now and in the future.

Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Pat Melanson
Office of Jeff Leal,
Member of Parliament, Peterborough
705-742-3777

Tony Smith
Shining Waters Railways
705-761-2253

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

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