1/This morning, I was pleased to receive a message from the Government of Alberta in response to the letter I sent them yesterday. That letter was a Hail Mary pass, a final effort, to see if it is possible to salvage some of the work that has been done on the Green Line to date.

2/We had a productive meeting between Premier Smith, Minister Dreeshen and I – together with our Administration teams. We discussed the value that remains in existing contracts, and how work that’s already been done may align with the new vision the Province wishes to bring

3/My goal was to offer Premier Smith and Minister Dreeshen a more cost-effective solution to developing their vision. Today, with the City’s experts on the Green Line project, I was able to explain how we might be able to save money, get to construction and delivery quicker, and

4/If the Province were to start from scratch on their vision for a new alignment, it would require all new procurements and contracts – which means more time and more money.

5/With what I have proposed, they can use carefully considered rail solutions that have already been reviewed and approved by all three funders, solutions which already have many industry experts working on them.

6/While the original Green Line project as we knew it is over, it is still my responsibility to Calgarians to find ways that can save money and time on a north-south LRT solution, without compromising the original vision of the line.

7/If the Province can maintain the design work being done from 4th St to Shepard and maintain the low-floor LRT cars we have in production, cost will be reduced dramatically and delivery will come quicker. Not to mention, we can save the jobs of six to seven hundred people.

8/In the end, delivering infrastructure and reliable transit service to Calgarians is not political or partisan. It is our duty to taxpayers. I am encouraged that both Premier Smith and Minister Dreeshen agree with this.