BC NDP Leader John Horgan said on Thursday that his new $9 billion infrastructure plan will create 18,000 jobs a year and get people moving faster—building roads and expanding public transit across the province.

As part of this new funding, Horgan committed to completing the entire Surrey-Langley Skytrain expansion project to Langley.

“Investing in public transit and roads is a win-win-win. It cuts gridlock and commutes times, it reduces carbon pollution, and it creates good jobs,” said Horgan. “Our plan will get people moving faster and more affordably while we get through the pandemic and build an economic recovery for everyone.”

The new Recovery Investment Fund will deliver new roads and expanded public transit across the province. Horgan also announced he would make construction of the Surrey-Langley Skytrain a provincial capital project, ensuring it moves forward quickly to deliver needed service for people in Surrey, Langley and surrounding communities.

“This is great news for people in our fast-growing region of the province,” said Andrew Mercier, BC NDP candidate for Langley. “While BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson prioritizes tax cuts for those who need it least, John Horgan will invest in the rapid transit and buses commuters in our community desperately need most.”

Background on Horgan’s Surrey-Langley Skytrain commitment:

* The total cost of the full Surrey-Langley Skytrain is $3.1 billion.

* $1.6 billion in funding for Stage 1, to Fleetwood, has previously been committed by all partners.

* A re-elected BC NDP government will build the entire line, including the $1.5 billion portion to Langley, working with the federal government to secure their share of the funding. 

* Under a BC NDP government, the project will become a provincial capital project to get it completed as quickly as possible.