The Government of the Northern Union today has announced a $10 billion iniative to help provincial and municipal governments with advanced transit projects. Available in the form of grants, local agencies and provinces could apply with a specific project in mind, and if approved the federal government would provide up to $1 billion for the project's completion. The fund for this year is starting at $10 billion, but may shrink or grow in the next several years depending on the success of the program.

The caveat to this is that unlike most funding ot this type, which is usually dedicated for large road projects, funding will be prioritized for mass transit - something that outside of the nation's largest cities is lacking. Candidates already expected to apply include:

• Vancouver, BC for a new SkyTrain line to Maple Ridge

• Kelowna, BC for a BRT line along Highway 97

• Calgary, AB for a light rail system

• Saskatoon, SK for acquiring larger busses

• Mississauga, ON for a commuter rail line to Toronto

• Quebec City, QC for a subway system

• Halifax, NS for a light rail system

The benefit to the federal government is that with new transit infrastructure tends to come new investment and economic growth. Effective public transportation has also been shown to help bring people out of poverty by providing affordable access to new opportunity. If this iniative is successful it may convince the national government to invest more in infrastructure from the federal level.