TORONTO
At the Toronto Region Board of Trade, Premier Kathleen Wynne made a much-awaited announcement about transit and transportation funding. The Ontario Liberals committed $29 billion over the next ten years, $15 billion was pledged to GTHA and $14 billion will go toward infrastructure. The source of funding for transit has bedeviled a legion of
politicians over the years and it continues to be a contentious issue. However, Wynne indicated that close to half of the funding will come from the greater allocation of gas tax and HST revenue, despite ruling out any increase to the gas tax.
Revenue tools to generate these funds include bonds, redirecting existing revenue are being discussed.
Meanwhile CivicAction’s Your32 campaign – and its 50+ team of civic Champions and Regional Co-Captains that have been working tirelessly to build support for a better regional transportation system and the need for new sustainable ways to pay for it issued this statement following Premier Wynne’s announcement.
“After enduring years of gridlock, it looks like residents across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) may finally get some relief. This signals an important step toward long-term investment that we all have been calling for and which can be built on.
While what we heard today doesn’t get us all the way there, we’re encouraged by the multi-year commitment to money that is dedicated to transportation improvement, so we know money will be there when we need it.
Today’s announcement responds to many of the principles in CivicAction’s Pledge to Get a Move On.
It’s clear that people want action, and will reward politicians for their leadership on this critical issue.
• A poll released by the Move the GTHA shows strong public support for a political leader who helps get our region moving (59% of GTHA residents would support a political leader who brought in new funding sources for transportation improvements).
• Thousands of residents and civic leaders and close to half (171) of all politicians across the GTHA have signed CivicAction’s Your32 Pledge to Get a Move On that shows support for investment that is dedicated, transparent and accountable, and sustainable.
Each of Ontario’s party leaders should know that support for investment is there. This is a defining moment for our region and we need each of the party leaders to be ready to say how they’ll deliver the money we need to get our region moving.
Otherwise, we face the consequences of indecision—a stagnant economy, frustrated residents, and a region stalled by its own unrealized potential.”
Photo
Wynne/Wynne2
Caption
Her most important announcement SO FAR
TORONTO
At the Toronto Region Board of Trade, Premier Kathleen Wynne made a much-awaited announcement about transit and transportation funding. The Ontario Liberals committed $29 billion over the next ten years, $15 billion was pledged to GTHA and $14 billion will go toward infrastructure. The source of funding for transit has bedeviled a legion of politicians over the years and it continues to be a contentious issue. However, Wynne indicated that close to half of the funding will come from the greater allocation of gas tax and HST revenue, despite ruling out any increase to the gas tax.
Revenue tools to generate these funds include bonds, redirecting existing revenue are being discussed.
Meanwhile CivicAction’s Your32 campaign – and its 50+ team of civic Champions and Regional Co-Captains that have been working tirelessly to build support for a better regional transportation system and the need for new sustainable ways to pay for it issued this statement following Premier Wynne’s announcement.
“After enduring years of gridlock, it looks like residents across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) may finally get some relief. This signals an important step toward long-term investment that we all have been calling for and which can be built on.
While what we heard today doesn’t get us all the way there, we’re encouraged by the multi-year commitment to money that is dedicated to transportation improvement, so we know money will be there when we need it.
Today’s announcement responds to many of the principles in CivicAction’s Pledge to Get a Move On.
It’s clear that people want action, and will reward politicians for their leadership on this critical issue.
• A poll released by the Move the GTHA shows strong public support for a political leader who helps get our region moving (59% of GTHA residents would support a political leader who brought in new funding sources for transportation improvements).
• Thousands of residents and civic leaders and close to half (171) of all politicians across the GTHA have signed CivicAction’s Your32 Pledge to Get a Move On that shows support for investment that is dedicated, transparent and accountable, and sustainable.
Each of Ontario’s party leaders should know that support for investment is there. This is a defining moment for our region and we need each of the party leaders to be ready to say how they’ll deliver the money we need to get our region moving.
Otherwise, we face the consequences of indecision—a stagnant economy, frustrated residents, and a region stalled by its own unrealized potential.”
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