Smith supportive of rail link between Calgary and Banff, Canmore
Premier Danielle Smith says she'd like to see Calgary work with the province – and potentially private industry – to explore the creation of a rail link between the city and Canmore/Banff.
She made the suggestion in a statement released on Tuesday, in which she also asked Calgary councillors to consider expanding the city's CTrain network to the airport.
Smith says the creation of a rail link between Calgary and Canmore/Banff would benefit visitors, Calgarians and all Albertans in accessing "one of the world’s greatest natural wonders."
"It would also significantly boost international and domestic tourism while improving road safety and reducing strain on Highway 1 between Calgary and Banff as population growth and tourist traffic continue to grow," she said.
"I would also note the potential of utilizing hydrogen-powered locomotives in this endeavour, which would both reduce emissions and is aligned with our government’s vision to make Alberta a world leader in hydrogen technology research, development and manufacturing."
Earlier this year, Liricon Capital outlined its proposal for a daily rail service between Calgary and Banff, saying it was waiting on provincial dollars to make it a reality.
Jan Waterous of Liricon Capital said her company was looking for roughly $10 million from the province in the near future to go along with $750 million already committed by the company and Canada Infrastructure Bank for building the line.
At the time, former Alberta premier Jason Kenney said he was concerned about the cost to taxpayers.
"We are always prepared to make strategic investments in capital infrastructure," Kenney said. "But we don't think the government of Alberta's core business is to provide massive decade-long subsidies to operations of what is ultimately a private business."
Conservation advocates have also expressed concern over the proposal, saying it presents environmental risks.
Concerns include wildlife deaths along the rail line — particularly grizzly bears, which have been hit and killed on the existing track — and the fragmentation of wildlife habitat in Alberta's already busy Bow Valley.
EXPANDING CALGARY'S CTRAIN TO AIRPORT
When it comes to Calgary's light rail transit system, Smith says she wants to see it further expanded.
"I know Calgary’s city council understands that developing Calgary’s public transit system will be critical to the socio-economic future of Calgary and its residents, and am very pleased to see the plans that council colleagues already have in place to expand the CTrain network," Smith said.
"As YYC continues to increase in size and economic importance, the number of domestic and international flights and passenger traffic to and through the airport will also continue to grow.
"In my view, a direct link between YYC and downtown via the CTrain network should be a transportation priority for both of our governments."
Smith says she has sent a letter to Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek saying she would like to "work together" to explore the option of expanding the LRT system to the Calgary International Airport.
While the premier emphasized the importance of both projects, she did not lay out any provincial funding for either one.
CALGARY MP WEIGHS IN
Calgary Nose Hill MP Michelle Rempel Garner responded to Smith's statement by saying that Calgary should focus on constructing the Green Line LRT in north Calgary before focusing on a rail line to Banff.
"Nearly 10 years ago, the federal government provided $1.5 billion for a light rapid transit train line that would take nearly 50,000 vehicles off the road by allowing communities in north-central Calgary to connect with the rest of the city via light rapid transit.
"Today, the community has significantly expanded while the infrastructure is no longer on the table, in spite of this investment," Rempel Garner said.
She added that while she was pleased to see the premier's support for more public transit options in Calgary, north-central Calgary badly needs transit infrastructure.
She encouraged all levels of government to ensure that residents in that area are priorities for public transit before project that "might have a tourism bent."
Rempel Garner says north-central Calgary remains one of the most "underserved areas in Alberta" in regards to transit.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
O'Toole says CSIS told him he was focus of Chinese misinformation, suppression effort
Conservative MP Erin O'Toole says Canada's spy agency has told him he was the target of Chinese interference intended to to discredit him and promote false narratives about his policies while party leader.

U.S. officer shoots at truck driver near N.B. border crossing
Traffic is back up and running through the border crossing between Woodstock, N.B., and Houlton, Maine, after a security scare Monday.
Blue Jays pitcher 'truly sorry' for sharing anti-LGBTQ2S+ video
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Anthony Bass said he is 'truly sorry' for sharing a controversial anti-LGBTQ2S+ video on Instagram.
Low sexual satisfaction linked to memory decline later in life: study
Low sexual satisfaction in middle age could be linked to future memory decline, according to a new study.
Human rights activist confirmed to be held in Chinese detention centre: family in Canada
Chinese authorities have confirmed that human rights activist Dong Guangping has been held in a Chinese detention centre since October of last year, according to the man's family in Canada.
Police identify engaged couple shot dead after dispute with landlord near Hamilton
A young couple shot and killed after a dispute with their landlord near Hamilton have been identified by police.
Priest charged in alleged sexual assault of 8-year-old girl on Manitoba First Nation
Manitoba RCMP have arrested a priest from a First Nation community who is accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl, and believe there may be more victims.
B.C. teacher who singled out students over their breasts, bathroom-use suspended for 5 days
A B.C. high school teacher is facing a five-day suspension and course requirement after making multiple students feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about their bodies—and it’s not the first time he’s been disciplined in the past decade.
Federal government aiming to dispose of half of its office buildings with hybrid work here to stay
The federal government is planning to offload up to half of its office buildings across the country, citing the rise in remote and hybrid work.