Province pumps $17M in gas tax funding into York Region transit

York Region receives third largest allocation in the annual program that provides municipalities funding from gasoline sales

Newmarkettoday.ca
Feb. 24, 2023
Joseph Quigley

Ontario is giving York Region more than $17 million toward improving local transit.

The province announced its allocations for the gas tax program today, with $379.5 million spread across 107 municipalities for transit. York Region will receive the third most in the province behind Toronto and Mississauga at $17,161,653.

York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson said the region’s 1.1 million residents need a modern and reliable public transit network.

“That is why we are happy to see the more than $17 million in funding from the province to York Region through the gas tax program,” Emmerson said in a news release. “This funding will provide enormous benefits to our community, including helping people utilize transit and grow our economy."

The gas tax program provides funding to municipalities annually based on the amount of gasoline sold in the previous year. In total, municipalities receive two cents per litre. This year’s funding total also included an $80-million boost to “help ensure municipalities can continue to support their transit systems.”

Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney said public transit is a key driver of economic growth.

“As more people return to public transit, our government is providing municipalities with the funding they need to accommodate growing ridership, while ensuring they can continue to deliver safe and reliable transit service for people in their communities,” Mulroney said.

The York Region allocation represents an increase over its 2021-22 funding, which was $16.9 million.