Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Prime Minister Trudeau Announces Up To $86.5 Million For Halifax Expressway

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Feb, 2019 09:10 PM

    HALIFAX — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced up to $86.5-million to improve an expressway into Halifax, predicting the work will make commutes safer and swifter.


    Trudeau said Thursday the federal money would help extend the Highway 107 Burnside Connector and build a high-speed bypass to connect Highways 101, 102, and 118.


    "We know that families are going to get to work and back home quicker because of this investment," the prime minister said.


    "We know that moving forward on something that's been talked about for so many decades . . . is something that a lot of families around here have been waiting for."


    The federal money from the Building Canada Fund is in addition to $107-million announced by the province, while the Halifax Regional Municipality will provide the remainder.


    Later on Thursday, Trudeau is expected to take part in a tour of historical exhibits at the Black Cultural Centre in the community of Cherry Brook.


    He is also to meet with a youth group before delivering a speech in recognition of black history. It's expected Trudeau would also extend a personal apology to those who were part of a group that were singled out in an apparent case of racial profiling during a visit to Parliament Hill earlier this month.


    The incident took place during an event called Black Voices on the Hill, prompting a complaint to the Speaker from Liberal MP Greg Fergus.


    The Federation of Black Canadians said several participants in the lobbying event were referred to as "dark-skinned people'' and asked to leave a parliamentary cafeteria.


    The Parliamentary Protective Service apologized at the time and said the force was investigating the incident.


    In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Speaker Geoff Regan called the service's apology a welcome first step, but said it shouldn't be seen as closing the issue or as a way to erase the harsh and unacceptable reality of what happened.


    "What was reported as happening was completely unacceptable," Trudeau said Thursday. "The Parliament Buildings belong to all Canadians and the opportunity to access them freely in a moment . . . of celebration of Black History Month should not have been tarnished by these actions that we've heard about."


    Trudeau said he was looking forward to meeting with the group.


    "We all have a responsibility as parliamentarians as Canadians to ensure that everyone is fully welcome everywhere in this country," he said.


    "We have to recognize unfortunately that there are still barriers, there is still systemic racism in this country — anti-black racism that can rear its head at surprising and unfortunate times and we need to make sure that we are responding appropriately."


    Trudeau began his visit by attending a vigil Wednesday night for a Syrian family that lost seven children in a house fire earlier in the week, before attending a fundraising gathering of Liberal donors at a Halifax hotel.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Cop Who Arrested McArthur In 2016 Accused Of Breaching Police Policy: Lawyer

    Cop Who Arrested McArthur In 2016 Accused Of Breaching Police Policy: Lawyer
    Lawrence Gridin says it's also alleged Gauthier failed to take photos of the man's injuries within 72 hours

    Cop Who Arrested McArthur In 2016 Accused Of Breaching Police Policy: Lawyer

    Impact Of Ice Sheet Retreat On Canadian Weather Being Underestimated: Study

    Impact Of Ice Sheet Retreat On Canadian Weather Being Underestimated: Study
    Newly published research suggests the accelerating disappearance of ice caps in Greenland and Antarctica will have a major and underestimated effect on extreme weather in Canada.

    Impact Of Ice Sheet Retreat On Canadian Weather Being Underestimated: Study

    Smoke From Wildfire Is Like A 'Chemical Soup,' Says Fire Researcher

    Smoke From Wildfire Is Like A 'Chemical Soup,' Says Fire Researcher
    Inhaling smoke from a wildfire can be equal to smoking a couple of packs of cigarettes a day depending on its thickness, says a researcher studying wildfires in Western Canada.  

    Smoke From Wildfire Is Like A 'Chemical Soup,' Says Fire Researcher

    New Video Shows Late Activist Pleading For Change To Assisted Dying Rules

    Audrey Parker died with medical assistance on Nov. 1, two years after she had been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.

    New Video Shows Late Activist Pleading For Change To Assisted Dying Rules

    Federal Bill Would Make Sept. 30 Holiday For Indigenous Reconciliation

    OTTAWA — Sept. 30 might become a new statutory holiday commemorating victims of residential schools.

    Federal Bill Would Make Sept. 30 Holiday For Indigenous Reconciliation

    Girl In Quebec Elementary School Stabbed By Boy

    Girl In Quebec Elementary School Stabbed By Boy
    ALMA, Que. — Provincial police say a girl in a Quebec elementary school was stabbed Tuesday afternoon during a dispute with a schoolmate.

    Girl In Quebec Elementary School Stabbed By Boy