WATERLOO REGION --The federal government will provide more than $160 million for the construction of light rail transit in this region, Cambridge MP Gary Goodyear says.

In an interview yesterday, the Minister of State for Science and Technology clarified his comments about federal financial support for the $790 million project, which was approved by regional council on Wednesday.

Regional Chair Ken Seiling was surprised by the $160 million figure that was in a statement issued by Goodyear's office on Thursday. The region has always expected Ottawa to fund at least one third of the costs.

Yesterday, Goodyear said the $160 million is the initial amount of money the federal government earmarked for rapid transit in this region when the agreement was signed between Queen's Park and Ottawa for the Building Canada Fund.

When the federal and provincial governments announced an agreement for the Building Canada Fund about a year ago, they specifically cited rapid transit for Waterloo Region as a top priority.

"There was $160 million set aside for this project pending receipt of a proposal from the region," Goodyear said.

"Now that we have or will shortly have a proposal we will of course be working with the province and regional government to find the transit solution that best serves the people of this community."

Once the federal and provincial governments decide how much money they will each provide for construction, the region will determine the share, if any, expected from local taxpayers. This process is expected to take months.

Goodyear stressed repeatedly the federal government is committed to the light rail project and the $160 million is only an initial amount and more money will be coming.

"Now what we are going to do is look at what is being proposed and we will work with all levels of government from this point on, and I think that's something that everyone can celebrate," Goodyear said.

"There is a clear commitment for this project to go forward," Goodyear said.

On Wednesday, regional councillors endorsed a plan that will see tracks built linking Conestoga Mall in the north to Fairview Park Mall in the south. Rapid buses will take passengers into Cambridge from the Fairview Mall. The region wants to see the tracks extended into Cambridge as soon as possible after the first phase. The system could be running in 2014.

"I think what we are starting here should have been started 10 years ago," Goodyear said. "We are starting a rapid transit system that needs to link southern Ontario together. We need to have something to move people quickly around the region, and in and out of the region as our workforce becomes more mobile."

Meanwhile, Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig, the only member of regional council to vote against the light rail option, is surprised by the federal government's support for the project.

"The whole thing is rushing through, hundreds of millions of dollars," Craig said. "It's just an incredible rush to judgment, it really is."

Craig was hoping Ottawa would pull the brakes.

"I thought if I had any ally it was the federal government," Craig said.