2009-11-27 16:48:02 -

AMHERST, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/27/09 -- Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of Canada's Transport Minister John Baird, and Brian Skabar, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Cumberland North, on behalf of the Honourable Ramona Jennex, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, today unveiled a new wheelchair-accessible minivan for Cumberland County residents.



"Our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is committed to improving and strengthening Canadian communities," said MP Armstrong. "Public transit investments play an important role in strengthening the economy and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable environment, while ensuring safe and inclusive access to public transit services for residents of Cumberland County and all Canadians."



The new minivan, with capacity for up to six passengers and up to two wheelchairs, will serve the community and will double wheelchair-accessible public transit to five days a week of service for Greater Amherst residents.



"We will continue to work with our federal and municipal partners to help ensure important projects, such as the launch of this bus, become a reality," said Mr. Skabar. "Together we can build a better, healthier environment for today and for our future."



The Government of Canada, through the federal Public Transit Capital Trust 2008, supports investments in public transit infrastructure in cities and communities throughout Canada. Funding for the program will help expand public access and ridership, as well as improve mobility, reduce travel times, and increase safety and efficiency for commuters.



"In doing so, the Government of Canada has helped give the people of Cumberland County another option when it comes to affordable transportation and has helped the Cumberland County Transportation Society take another step towards building a comprehensive public transportation service for rural Nova Scotians," said Barry Patriquin, chair of the Society.



In addition, Canada's Economic Action Plan accelerates and expands recent historic federal investments in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years, so that Canada emerges from this economic crisis with more modern and greener infrastructure.



Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca : www.tc.gc.ca . Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca : www.tc.gc.ca /e-news and keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.



This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

Contacts:
Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Transport Minister John Baird, Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

Barry Patriquin
Chair, Cumberland County Transit Society
Nova Scotia
902-667-8149