NDP MP Zarrillo calls on the government to improve accessible public transit in Tri-Cities

October 6, 2023

OTTAWA – On Friday, NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody – Coquitlam) urged the government to release their promised funding to improve accessible transit, as people in the Tri-Cities are being forced to turn to more costly, methods of transit. In 2021, the Liberals promised $3 billion per year for Canadian communities to build up their public transit systems, with the funding not starting until 2026 - Zarrillo says this isn't acceptable. Local communities need this funding now to address accessibility concerns, like in Port Moody – Coquitlam, where transit stations do not have back-up elevators or washrooms.
Here is Zarrillo’s question:
“Accessible transit is critical for people living with disabilities.
but in this country, transit is underfunded so it's not meeting accessibility demands.
In my community this means the transit authority is now pushing people into taxis that don’t meet their needs.
Because the Liberals are holding back federal transit funding until 2026, Canadians with a disability are being left behind.
Will the Minister immediately release the public transit funding they promised to bring equity to transit?”
Watch Zarrillo in Parliament

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NDP Media Centre: 613-222-2351 or media@ndp.ca