Green Party says ferry service upgrade a vital component of national transit strategy

SIDNEY, B.C. – Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said today that a Green government will develop a national transportation strategy with a goal of reaching zero-carbon public transportation everywhere in Canada by 2040.

An important part of that strategy, announced when Ms. May released platform spending and revenue details in Halifax last week, is a commitment to spend $500 million over the next five years to expand and upgrade ferry services across Canada.

“Ferries are a vital transit link connecting Canadians to their places of work and to one another,” said Ms. May. “In 2014, ferry routes accommodated nearly 54 million passengers and 19 million vehicles. The Green Party will commit $100 million a year over the next five years to support this important transit sector.”

Ms. May also announced that a Green government will require all ferries to convert to electric or hybrid systems by 2030, in line with its goal of reaching zero-carbon public transportation by 2040.

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For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Rosie Emery
Press Secretary
613-562-4916x206
rosie.emery@greenparty.ca