News Release - November 17, 2008
VICTORIA - Gordon Campbell can no longer continue to ignore commuter rail, given that even Liberal MLAs have now agreed to get on board with their NDP colleagues and endorse the idea, Malahat-Juan de Fuca NDP MLA John Horgan said today following the release of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services report.
Horgan applauded the committee recommendation that the Province work with the Federal government and the Island Corridor Foundation to upgrade the E&N line to enable Commuter Rail on Vancouver Island.
"I am very pleased that the evidence presented at the October 2nd hearing in Langford has persuaded my Legislature colleagues from both sides of the floor that this is an important project", Horgan said.
The all party committee report was finalized this past weekend while residents in Colwood and Langford were voting in local referenda seeking funding from senior governments.
"Three years ago when I started talking about getting commuters out of their cars and on to the train I knew there was wide spread support in the public. To now have that confirmed in the local referenda and by the Finance Committee endorses my view that the train can once again be a vital part of transportation on Vancouver Island," Horgan said.
"Provincial support will leverage federal funding and local governments can now plan future commercial and residential developments with a view to the train line being the centre of green communities," Horgan concluded.
-- 30 --
Contact: John Horgan 250-686-7916
