Governments of Canada and Ontario invest in public transit in Toronto

Newswire.com
Oct. 13, 2017

Investing in public infrastructure supports efficient, affordable and sustainable transit services that help Canadians and their families get to work, school and essential services on time and back home safely at the end of a long day. The governments of Canada and Ontario are making investments that will help create well-paying jobs and grow the middle class now while building a strong foundation for a sustainable economic future.

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation and Member of Provincial Parliament for Vaughan, and Josh Colle, TTC Chair and Toronto City Councillor for Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence, today announced 11 newly approved projects that will benefit Toronto under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). The federal government is providing more than $30 million, and the City of Toronto will provide the balance of funding.

The projects announced today will support the growth of Toronto's public transit system while other improvements will make getting across the city easier, faster and safer for transit riders. Union Station will see many improvements, including signage and wayfinding, lighting and security. A modelling study will be undertaken on King Street to prioritize and improve downtown streetcar operations. In addition, a land bridge study will be undertaken at Exhibition Place and Ontario Place to help identify transit routing options and enhance the connectivity between local and regional transit hubs.

These investments are part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is working closely with the Province and municipalities to invest in important transit initiatives that will strengthen communities across Ontario by growing the middle-class and fostering long-term prosperity. Canadians today and into the future will benefit from the projects announced today, which will provide Toronto residents with affordable and efficient public transit infrastructure."

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"I am pleased that our federal and municipal partners share our commitment to keep Ontarians moving. These investments will help us build an accessible, integrated transit network while making safety a priority. Union Station is a world-class transit hub, and we continue to support improvements like these that will enhance its capacity to meet growing ridership demand. These projects will benefit everyone in our community by supporting a connected, prosperous Ontario."

The Honourable Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation and Member of Provincial Parliament for Vaughan

"The City of Toronto welcomes the federal government's investment in the TTC and transportation infrastructure through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. The projects announced today are another step towards improving Toronto's transit service and will make it easier, faster and safer for our customers to get around the city."

Josh Colle, TTC Chair and Toronto City Councillor for Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• $25.3 billion of this funding will support public transit projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• The Government of Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges, and water and wastewater infrastructure in the province's history - more than $190 billion in public infrastructure over 13 years, starting in 2014-15. To learn more about what's happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildOn.
• Since 2004, the Government of Ontario has committed more than $3.7 billion to municipalities across the province through the provincial gas tax program. This funding supports municipal transit systems.