Kelowna, British Columbia - The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Tom Christensen, Minister of Children and Family Development, on behalf of Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services, along with her Worship Sharon Shepherd, Mayor of the City of Kelowna, and Robert Hobson, 2nd Vice-President of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) on behalf of UBCM President Brenda Binnie, today officially marked the transfer of $11 million in federal funding to begin the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the Central Okanagan.

"Through our partnership with British Columbia and UBCM, Canada's New Government is delivering benefits that will build strong and healthy communities that offer prosperity, cleaner air and a high quality of life," said Minister Day. "Reliable and efficient public transit is key to ensuring sustainable and vibrant communities, and contributing to the health of the environment right here in the Okanagan Valley."

The Gas Tax Funding for the Regional District of Central Okanagan will help with the development of the first two phases of the BRT program from downtown Kelowna to the UBC-Okanagan campus.

"Increased transportation options mean less traffic congestion, improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, making a difference in our day-to-day lives and supporting vibrant, integrated communities," said Tom Christensen, Minister of Children and Family Development and MLA for Okanagan-Vernon. "When governments and organizations such as UBCM work together, our communities can be socially responsive and environmentally sustainable."

"We welcome the federal gas tax funding to assist with the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program, which will further increase the service provided by the Kelowna Regional Transit System," said Mayor Shepherd on behalf of the Regional District. "The BRT will result in faster travel times and shorter trips for passengers between the Queensway terminal and UBC-Okanagan. Customers will see more frequent peak hour service and 15 minute service at other times. I'm pleased our federal and provincial partners recognize the important role that public transit infrastructure plays in creating a sustainable community."

Canada's New Government is providing $635.6 million to British Columbia from 2005 to 2010 through the Gas Tax Agreement. In Budget 2007, and as part of its $33 billion "Building Canada" plan, the Government of Canada extended the Gas Tax Fund by an additional $2 billion per year nationally, from 2010 to 2014. The Gas Tax Agreement is administered in British Columbia by the Union of BC Municipalities.

"Today's announcement demonstrates that partnerships like the Gas Tax Fund Agreement are an effective means for delivering results to British Columbians," said UBCM 2nd Vice-President Hobson. "This federal funding supports a significant innovation in the Central Okanagan transit system."

Today's announcement comes as part of a group of funding decisions under the Strategic Priorities fund of the Canada – British Columbia – UBCM Gas Tax Agreement that will provide $105.9 million in funding over the first five years of the Agreement in BC.

For images of the BRT project or further details on other recent Gas Tax Fund Agreement news releases, go to www.civicnet.bc.ca 'News & Announcements' or www.infrastructure.gc.ca.