N^o H264/05
For release November 25, 2005

CANADA LINE LAUNCHED
AS PARTNERS UNVEIL VEHICLE

VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and co-Senior Minister for British Columbia, on behalf of federal Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre and Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) John Godfrey; the Honourable Kevin Falcon, B.C. Minister of Transportation; TransLink Chair Doug McCallum; Larry Berg, President and CEO of the Vancouver International Airport Authority; Sam Sullivan, Mayor-elect of the City of Vancouver; Mayor Malcolm Brodie of Richmond; RAVCO Chair L.I. Bell; and Jean-Marc Arbaud from InTransitBC gathered to unveil the Canada Line name and the vehicle design for the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project.

Beginning in 2009… and then about every 5 minutes after that, the Canada Line will carry people between Richmond, Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and Vancouver’s Waterfront Centre in 25 minutes or less. The automated light rail technology will add almost 19 km and 16 new stations to the region’s growing rapid transit network.

“Connecting our dynamic seaport to our world-class airport and the heart of Richmond will support the growth and continued prosperity of the region,” said Minister Emerson. “In 2010 and for years to come, the Canada Line will be an example of an unprecedented federal investment in sustainable transportation choices and sustainable cities. It will also boost our Pacific Gateway Strategy.”

“The price of congestion costs our economy and the environment dearly,” said Minister Falcon. “That’s why making smart infrastructure investments, such as the Canada Line, will improve our economy and our quality of life for generations.”

“With multiple new connections to our growing transit network, the Canada Line will offer more choices to help people get around Greater Vancouver, whether they commute to work or travel between destinations around the region,” said TransLink Chair Doug McCallum.

“Providing an efficient and sustainable transportation option for airport employees and passengers is an important component of our long-term transportation plan, and confirms YVR’s status as one of the world’s top airports,” added Airport Authority President and CEO Larry Berg.

Mayor-elect Sullivan of the City of Vancouver added that “Vancouver has been recognized as the world’s most livable city. The Canada Line will help us maintain that honour, even as we grow, by providing a sustainable public transit service that connects neighbourhoods and brings us closer to Vancouver’s long-term transportation goals.”

“Richmond is one of Greater Vancouver’s most dynamic places,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “We are rich with diversity and growing as a residential and employment destination within the region. The Canada Line will further transform our City Centre and ensure it is a key focal point within a livable and sustainable region.”

“The innovative partnership bringing the Canada Line to life has met the challenge of creating more convenient and sustainable transportation options for people,” said RAVCO Chair Larry Bell. “We can’t preserve our quality of life or the quality of our environment without it.”

“As investors, we are proud to be partners in the design, construction and operations of the Canada Line,” said Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and CEO of InTransitBC. “The Canada Line will provide excellent service for the people of Greater Vancouver – safe, reliable and accessible to everyone.”

For more information visit the new Canada Line website: www.canadaline.ca (in English only).

About the Canada Line

Formerly known as RAV, the Canada Line will open in 2009 and will connect Vancouver with central Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), linking growing residential, commercial, health and educational centres. The Canada Line will add 16 new stations and the equivalent of 10 major road lanes to Greater Vancouver’s rapid transit network.

The Governments of Canada and British Columbia, the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (TransLink), and Vancouver International Airport Authority are funding partners for the Line, which is also supported by the Cities Vancouver and Richmond. The $1.9 billion ($2003) Project is being implemented by RAVCO, a subsidiary of TransLink.

The Government of Canada’s investment of $450 million is consistent with the New Deal for Cities and Communities and with Project Green.

RAVCO and InTransitBC signed a fixed-price, date-certain contract in July 2005 under which InTransitBC will design, build, operate, maintain and partially finance the Canada Line. TransLink will own the Line and set fares.

- 30 -

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.