For immediate release – Thursday, January 15, 2009

Surrey, BC – When the Leader of Official Opposition, Michael Ignatieff speaks at Langleys Kwantlen University tonight, the Wilderness Committee and concerned residents from across the south Fraser region will share their thoughts about the need for sustainable transit infrastructure.

"When Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently visited a private audience in Surrey to promote the Federal-Provincial Gateway project, he claimed that Gateway will produce more jobs. However, a study by the Canadian Urban Transit Association shows that in fact there are three times as many jobs that could be created in public transit as there are in highway construction. Tonight, we will let Mr. Harpers main competitor, Michael Ignatieff, know that these are the kind of jobs we want," said Wilderness Committee Healthy Communities Campaigner Ben West.

A poll released by the David Suzuki Foundation shows that 59% of Surrey residents would like to see funds redirected from highway construction to public transportation in light of concerns about climate change, and the impacts it will have. "Surrey needs better transit, and more green jobs for tomorrows economy, not freeways that will increase pollution and greenhouse gases, and simply encourage more suburban sprawl," said Bernadette Keenan, one of many concerned Surrey residents.

Prime Minister Harper was in Surrey on Monday to announce support for the proposed South Fraser Perimeter Road, a major component of the Gateway Project. While no new details were announced, Provincial Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon did admit that the project was delayed because of financing difficulties. This will likely mean a substantial increase in the financial contribution made by the federal government, and ultimately taxpayers, if the Gateway project is allowed to proceed.

"On Monday, we tried to communicate our concerns to Prime Minister Harper about the horrible economic, health and environmental impacts of the proposed Gateway Project, and the need to build a green economy but the public was completely barred. We didnt even get the chance to ask how he was planning to spend billions of our tax dollars," said West. "At least Ignatieff seems interested in having a dialogue, and hopefully when the federal budget is proposed, he will have the foresight not to support funding for Gateway," said West.

What: Surrey residents and Wilderness Committee Healthy Communities Campaigner Ben West will display placards and participate in discussion with Michael Ignatieff.
Where: Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Conference Centre, 12666 72 Ave., Langley, BC
When: Thursday Jan. 15 from 5 PM to 9 PM.

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For more information contact:
Ben West, Wilderness Committee Healthy Communities Campaigner 604-710-5340
Bernadette Keenan, concerned Surrey resident 604-580-6115