New Democrats outline new national transit strategy

OTTAWA – As the city of Toronto and other municipalities come to grips with transit service cutbacks, Federal New Democrats are proposing legislation to work together with communities to ensure high quality public transit in Canada.

The National Public Transit Strategy Act would coordinate between all levels of government to maintain and expand public transit across the country.

“This time of year, cities like Toronto are grappling with how to balance an effective public transit system at the same time as keeping the property tax reasonable,” said New Democrat Leader Jack Layton. “This first ever Public Transit Act will lift the burden off the shoulders of cities and communities. It’s time for the Federal Government to get off the sidelines and take on a leadership role so Canadians have access to good, reliable and affordable transit.”

Layton was joined at the announcement by New Democrat Transit Critic Olivia Chow, who wrote the bill, and Toronto candidates Peggy Nash (Parkdale-High Park) and Andrew Cash (Davenport). The bill outlines a strategy for the federal government to:

• provide a permanent investment plan to support public transit;
• establish federal funding mechanisms for public transit;
• work together with all levels of government to provide sustainable, predictable, long term and adequate funding;
• establish accountability measures to ensure that all governments work together to increase access to public transit.

“Better public transit results in cleaner and more productive cities where people can access the jobs and services that are needed for sustainable economic growth,” said Chow. “With the upcoming budget poised to phase out the stimulus plan, some of which went to transit, the Conservatives are going in the wrong direction.”

Canada is the only G8 country that has no national public transit strategy.