Trudeau in town for funding announcement at Fort Rouge transit garage

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This article was published 11/02/2019 (2147 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Amid a burgeoning cabinet scandal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a funding announcement Tuesday at Winnipeg Transit’s Fort Rouge garage.

As reported previously by the Free Press, the federal government is contributing $2.5 million towards the $5.3-million price tag for a series of upgrades to Phase 2 of the Osborne Street complex. City hall contributed the remaining $2.8 million.

Several dozen Transit employees were on hand for the late-afternoon news conference, along with Trudeau, Mayor Brian Bowman, several Winnipeg-area MPs, city councillors and other senior Transit officials.

“We’re in a time when we need to be making investments in public transit and this funding from the federal government helps make scarce dollars at city hall go further,” Bowman said. “By working together, we’re delivering results for Winnipeggers and for Canadians.”

Trudeau said he was touring communities this month where his government has invested in infrastructure projects.

“Today we’re celebrating new investments right here in your backyard,” the prime minister said. “We’re investing so that Winnipeggers can count on a quick and reliable trip.”

Winnipeg Transit is carrying out a combined $18.775-million worth of upgrades to the garage complex. The first phase involves a new roof for the main garage and replacement of the heating and ventilation system in the storage and maintenance facilities.

Some of the upgrades in Phase 2 include: new rapid overhead doors at the wash rack; hoist replacement; and heavy shop equipment replacement.

Ottawa had previously contributed $1.75 million to the $11.47-million first phase.

All of the questions from reporters following the announcement were directed at Trudeau — most involved the controversy over Tuesday’s resignation of MP Jody Wilson-Raybould from cabinet.

Bowman said the transit infrastructure projects will minimize bus downtime and help update safety standards for employees working in the garage complex.

Missing from Tuesday’s event were provincial government representatives. While most major infrastructure projects involve city hall partnering with both upper levels of government, no provincial funding was directed at these upgrades. (The province had contributed $437,500 to Phase 1.)

Earlier Tuesday, Bowman told reporters Premier Brian Pallister had refused to meet with him over a city funding dispute, and the mayor’s comments at the transit event appeared to contrast the different relationship he has with the prime minister.

Bowman singled out Trudeau and the federal government for thanks several times, singling out the contribution not only on transit, but also Ottawa’s investment in the city’s road program, and its involvement in the joint illicit drug task force. The federal government, Bowman said, had given Winnipeg almost $500 million since the last federal election.

“The federal government has been a very strong partner for the City of Winnipeg, and I want to specifically applaud prime minister Trudeau’s flexibility and openness to work on city-building efforts,” Bowman said.

Trudeau played down the absence of provincial representatives, telling reporters he has a good relationship with the Manitoba government.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca