Montréal/Tiohtià:ke | Traditional, unceded lands of the Kanien’kehá:ka/Mohawk Nation, a gathering place for many First Nations, including the Anishinaabeg – While the Government of Canada claims to want to help households cope with the rising cost of living, it is cutting $5 billion from public transit in Canada. A coalition of organizations across the country is raising alarm bells that this decision directly undermines the ability of households to reduce their transportation expenses, and Canada’s ability to meet its climate targets.
The coalition is demanding that the $5 billion taken out of the Canadian Public Transit Fund (CPTF) be dedicated exclusively to public transit if it is not returned to the CPTF.
“By cutting solutions that help people save on their travel, the government is not helping households reduce their transportation costs. Yet public transit is a project of national interest that the government should prioritize by increasing investments. Our dependence on cars continues to cost us more collectively: in aging infrastructure that is increasingly unable to withstand the impacts of climate change, in pollution and its effects on public health, and in time lost to congestion,” says Marc-André Viau, Director of Government Relations at Équiterre.
The cut was confirmed earlier this year after weeks of uncertainty of whether or not the government would continue to operate the fund.
When transit costs too much, people stay home
Affordable and easily navigable communities are stronger communities: they boost productivity, reduce inequality, and improve quality of life. Every dollar invested can generate up to $29 in returns, far more than other public infrastructure projects.
“Investments in public transit are not secondary: they reduce the cost of living and connect people to jobs, affordable housing, healthcare and essential services,” says Philippe Jacques, spokesperson for Alliance TRANSIT and Co-executive Director of Trajectoire Québec.
Nearly one million people in major Canadian cities are at risk of transport poverty: they have to spend an excessive portion of their income on commuting or avoid essential trips due to a lack of adequate services.
“Cutting $5 billion from transit funding sends the wrong signal at exactly the wrong time. These cuts will hurt transit users and directly undermine Canada’s climate commitments and affordability goals. The government cannot and should not renege on their promise.” adds Sam Hersh, Clean Transportation Program Manager at Environmental Defence Canada.
Doubling the Canada Public Transit Fund
This cut is all the more concerning given that inflation has already significantly reduced the capacity to carry out projects with the CPTF since it was announced in 2024. As needs skyrocket, several organizations were already calling for this Fund to be doubled to accelerate construction projects.
Urban transit systems across the country are already facing critical needs: Montreal metro asset maintenance deficit and service cuts in Quebec, a massive state-of-good repair backlog in the Toronto area, pressure related to the demographic growth of Greater Vancouver, and a transit system in Halifax that is over its capacity.
Without stable funding, the situation will continue to deteriorate, and regular Canadian commuters will pay the price.
Signatory organizations:
Alliance TRANSIT, comprising more than fifty member organizations in Quebec, including the following eight on the steering committee :
Accès transports viables
Conseil régional de l’environnement de Montréal
Équiterre
Florence Junca-Adenot
Trajectoire Québec
Regroupement national des conseils régionaux en environnement (RNCREQ)
Réseau des centres d’expertise en mobilité (RCEM)
Vivre en Ville
Association québécoise des médecins pour l’environnement (AQME)
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)
Ecology Action Centre
Environmental Defence Canada
Movement Metro Vancouver
TTCriders
Transport Action Canada
Bus Riders of Saskatoon
Regina Citizens Public Transit Coalition
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Lauren Thomas, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
