Priorities for  transportation on Vancouver Island will be discussed during a series of stakeholder meetings hosted by Jordan Sturdy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, which begin next week in Victoria.

The parliamentary secretary has invited elected local government officials, First Nations and other community leaders, including local Chambers of Commerce and port and airport authorities, to regional meetings in seven Vancouver Island centres. Meetings will take place in Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Courtenay-Comox, Campbell River and Port Hardy.

These meetings will promote discussion about current local and regional transportation priorities. The information gathered will help inform a broader public discussion about future transportation needs on Vancouver Island, as part of the government’s new 10-year provincial transportation plan.

To develop the 10-year province wide plan, the government of B.C. will consider the provincial transportation network and capacity across all modes, serving pedestrians, cyclists, automobiles, buses, trains, planes and ships. Based on technical and public input, the plan will identify a series of short, medium and long term priorities for the province over the next 10 years.

Quotes:

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone -

“Transportation strategies for Vancouver Island are a priority for my ministry, and they will be a key component of our new 10-year provincial transportation plan. We are developing strategies to improve the safe and reliable movement of people and goods by land, rail, air and sea on the Island, and these initial meetings will help initiate that discussion.”

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation Jordan Sturdy -

“The purpose of these meetings is to hear local ideas and understand local opportunities that could help shape future improvements to community transportation infrastructure on Vancouver Island. These meetings are just the first step in the process; Vancouver Islanders will also have a chance to provide input as our 10-year plan moves forward.”

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241