May 13th, 2025 | Alex Harris | Seaside FM News
Following the 2025 federal election, the TRANSIT Alliance, in collaboration with organizations across Canada, including Environmental Defence, the David Suzuki Foundation and the Ecology Action Centre are calling on the federal government to double investments in Canada’s Public Transit Fund.
The Canadian Public Transit Fund was announced in 2024 to provide $3 billion per year for public transit and active transportation infrastructure. A backgrounder from the government about the fund describes it as “sustained, integrated, and predictable federal investments” in transit for communities of “all sizes”.
But, in a press release, by the Ecology Action Centre, the TRANSIT Alliance calls the pace of public transit projects too slow for the growing population. They say that the projects are also challenged by high inflation in the cost of construction.
‘’The costs of congestion are exploding year after year, hampering the economy at a time when competitiveness has never been more crucial. Ontario alone is estimated to waste $13 billion a year in lost time for motorists, trucks, buses, streetcars and emergency services (this loss is estimated at $6 billion for Greater Montreal), and up to $44 billion considering the impacts on health, stress and quality of life. Beyond congestion, every dollar invested in public transit has the potential to contribute $29 to the local economy.’’ says Andrew Puslsifer, executive director with TTCriders.
A news release from the federal government in March of this year says that HRM will receive annual funding to support current transit costs amounting to $55 million over ten years.
“Stable and predictable funding for public transit is essential to keeping our communities connected and our economy moving.” Daren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour said. “This $55 million investment will help modernize our municipality’s transit system, reduce congestion, and support housing growth near transit. By making smart, long-term investments, we’re building a more accessible, efficient, and sustainable future for residents across the Halifax Regional Municipality.”
According to a recent Léger poll investment in public transit is a preferred solution to traffic congestion by 81 per cent of Canadians.
