Waterloo — By working closely with its partners, the federal government is ensuring that more Canadians will be able to live near public transit, and providing additional support to address homelessness and encampments.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Bardish Chagger, MP for Waterloo, and Karen Redman, Regional Chair, Region of Waterloo, announced a federal investment of almost $72 million in transit funding for the Region of Waterloo and a combined investment of nearly $18 million that will support the Region’s encampment response plans.
Long-term predictable transit funding
Through the new Canada Public Transit Fund’s Baseline Funding stream, the Region of Waterloo’s transit authority, Grand River Transit, will receive an annual funding allocation amounting to almost $72 million over 10 years. Funding will upgrade, replace, or modernize the Region’s public transit infrastructure, and maintain it in a state of good repair.
This investment, beginning in 2026 until 2036, will help increase the housing supply and affordability as part of complete, transit-oriented communities, while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Addressing homelessness and encampments
The federal government also announced an agreement with the Region of Waterloo for a combined investment of nearly $18 million that will support the Region’s encampment response plans. The investments, to be provided over two years, will renovate and re-open a women’s shelter in Kitchener, as well as operating temporary shelter space during the renovation. This will create and operate 66 dedicated shelter spaces for women. Through this work, women experiencing unsheltered homelessness will also be supported in applying for and transitioning to affordable housing.
“We are committed to building affordable, connected and sustainable communities across the country. The federal government’s investments in the Region of Waterloo will make a big difference.”- Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“By investing in transit infrastructure, we’re not just improving mobility – we’re building the foundation for vibrant, sustainable communities where Canadians can live, work, and thrive, all while reducing our environmental impact for future generations.”- Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo