Major funding announced for transit in Waterloo Region, as well as encampment response plan

Ottawa has pledged more than $75 million for GRT improvements and homelessness support. CTV’s Tyler Kelaher reports.

The federal government announced Monday a $90 million investment into Grand River Transit and Waterloo Region’s encampment response plan.

The majority of the funding, a total of $71,673,460, will be used for upgrades, repairs and the modernization of local transit infrastructure.

Ottawa said the money will be spread out over a 10-year period, beginning in 2026, to support the growth of “transit-oriented communities, while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

“This long-term investment will help the Region of Waterloo maintain and expand the transit system that our community relies on and is proud of,” Regional Chair Karen Redman said in a media release. “Providing transit service for people that takes them from where they live to where they want to go is the backbone of a transit system that will support Waterloo Region as it continues to grow.”

The funding is coming out of the Canada Public Transit Fund.

Encampment plan investment

The federal government also announced a combined investment of almost $18 million for the Region of Waterloo’s homelessness and encampment response plan.

Ottawa will be providing $5.4 million, while the region contributes $12.5 million.

The funding, to be spread out over two years, will be used to renovate and reopen the women’s shelter at 84 Frederick Street in Kitchener. It will provide 66 dedicated spaces and offer support services to help clients find affordable housing.

The federal funding is coming from Community Encampment Response Plans (CERP), a part of the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampment Initiative (UHEI).

Election impact

Monday’s announcement comes as voters prepare for another federal election.

CTV News asked Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, what will happen to the funding if the Liberals lose.

“We’ve seen instances where good programs are put in place and then another government is elected and they do away with them,” Erskine-Smith said. “In some cases, they go as far as to rip up existing contracts. In politics, nothing is certain because governments can make very different decisions.”

The minister condemned any party that would choose to cancel the newly announced funding, adding that it’s up to voters to support the party that tackles the issues they care about.