National transit strategy vote: future of Canada’s public transit at stake

NDP Bill supported by mayors, city councils across the country

No longer willing to put up with traffic gridlock and inadequate public transit, more and more mayors, city councils and groups across Canada are calling for a National Transit Strategy.

“Experts agree federal support and leadership on transit is needed to address the growing mobility crisis in Canadian cities,” said NDP Transport Critic Olivia Chow. “Cities, transit operators, business associations, environmental groups and labour unions from coast to coast to coast have lined up behind the bill.”

Canada is the only G8 country without dedicated federal transit funding and a national plan. Among 23 global cities, three of the bottom five positions in the transportation ranking are held by Toronto, Vancouver, and Halifax. The average commuter round trip ranges from 67 to 80 minutes. Toronto again is last, longer than New York, London and Los Angeles. Chow’s Bill, the National Transit Strategy Act (C-305) would address this failure and is up for a crucial vote on Wednesday.

“This Wednesday, the Conservatives have the chance to stand up for millions of commuting Canadians – or to slap down cities like Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Vancouver that have endorsed the Strategy.” said Chow. “Gridlock is costing our urban economies dearly - $6 billion in Toronto alone - and suburban and rural areas are left disconnected.”