MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French 1
Press release
Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia, September 24, 2024 — Residents of the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s will have access to a new transportation service thanks to an investment of $234,548 from the federal and provincial governments.
This funding supports the creation of SMART-GO: St. Mary’s Association for Rural Transit, an on-demand transportation system that will provide residents of the Municipality of the District of St. Mary with a reliable, low-cost transportation option.
Quotes
“Public transit is an invaluable tool that helps people move around their communities easily and conveniently. That is exactly what SMART-GO will provide to residents of the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s, and I am incredibly proud that our government is supporting this project.”
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“Everyone deserves access to transportation services to get to medical appointments, go to work, see family and friends, and do the everyday activities that improve our quality of life. There are often fewer transportation options in our rural communities, which is why I am proud to support SMART-GO, which will make a huge difference in Guysborough County.”
The Honourable Kim Masland, Nova Scotia Minister of Public Works
“SMART-GO is thrilled and incredibly grateful to receive funding from the government, which allows us to provide a much-needed transportation service to the St. Mary’s community. By providing accessible and convenient door-to-door transportation, we aim to improve the quality of life of our residents by allowing them to maintain their access to essential services and thereby fostering an even greater sense of unity within our community. This invaluable support from the government will allow us to make a positive difference in the daily lives of St. Mary’s residents, and for that, we sincerely thank you.”
Heather Kreffer, Executive Director, SMART-GO
Quick Facts
The federal government is investing $187,638 in this project through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF), and the provincial government is investing $46,910.
The FSTCR helps Canadians living in rural and remote areas move more easily within their communities. It supports the development of rural transit solutions, including new models of transit services that could be replicated or expanded.
The FSTCR Capital Projects component helps cover investment costs, such as purchasing vehicles or digital platforms, as well as supporting the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. This component ended on February 28, 2024.
The FSTCR Planning and Design Projects stream is accepting submissions on an ongoing basis. Under this stream, eligible applicants may receive a grant of up to $50,000 to support community projects to plan and design a new or expanded transit solution for their community. Eligible activities under the Planning and Design Projects include route and mode assessments, feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement, and surveys.
A minimum of 10% of FSTR funding is allocated to projects benefiting indigenous people and communities.
One in five Canadians lives in a rural community. Canada’s rural communities generate nearly 30% of the country’s gross domestic product.
The Rural Transit Solutions Fund complements Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through this plan, the federal government is providing federal funding for public transit to ensure clean and affordable transportation solutions are available in all communities.
The new Canada Public Transit Fund (CCTF) will provide an average of $3 billion per year in permanent funding to address local transit needs by strengthening integrated planning, improving access to transit and active transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable, sustainable and inclusive communities.
The FTCC serves the needs of communities of all sizes, from large metropolitan areas to mid-sized and smaller communities, including rural, remote, northern and Indigenous communities.
Since 2015, the federal government has committed more than $30 billion to public transit and active transportation projects. These historic investments have enabled nearly 2,000 projects to be completed across the country.
The funding announced today builds on work the federal government is doing under the Atlantic Growth Strategy to create well-paying jobs and strengthen local economies.
Federal funding is conditional on the signing of the contribution agreement.
Related links
Contact persons
For further information (media only), please contact:
Sofia OuslisCommunications AdvisorOffice of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and CommunitiesSofia.ouslis@infc.gc.ca
Media RelationsHousing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada613-960-9251Toll free: 1-877-250-7154Email:media-medias@infc.gc.caFollow us onTwitter,Facebook,InstagramAndLinkedInWebsite:Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Blaise TheriaultCommunications AdvisorNova Scotia Department of Public Works902-476-5092blaise.theriault@novascotia.ca
Heather KrefferExecutive DirectorSMART-GO: St. Mary’s Association for Rural Transit 902-522-2000info@smart-go.ca
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.