Pre-Budget Submission 2024: Priorities for Public Transit
We, the undersigned, urge the Government of Canada to:
1. Increase Funding for Transit Operations
We applaud the federal government’s creation of a Permanent Transit Fund that, starting in 2026, will assist with transit expansion projects, including new subway and light-rail service. But transit agencies’ immediate requirement is funding for their day-to-day operations. They require money to hire drivers, maintain vehicles and disinfect stations. Without this operations support, transit agencies cannot even think about building new lines.
2. Reallocate funds from highway expansion to transit and active transportation
We will not solve the problem of excessive vehicle traffic by expanding highways. Expanded highways incentivize car use which leads directly to increased congestion. Shift funds from highway expansion to affordable, safe and convenient car alternatives, including protected bicycle lanes, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and bus rapid transit, commuter trains, light rail, and subway.
3. Create a Pan-Canadian Inter-Community Bus System
Rural communities have been chronically underserved by public transit, creating transit deserts in which individuals are unable to travel safely for work, medical appointments or leisure. This leaves thousands of Canadians without public inter-city transport. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report highlights adequate inter-community bus transit as a key step to reconciliation. Now, more than ever, we need to invest in low-carbon transit that will create jobs and connect people across the country to their families and vital services.
Signed by:
Activate Transit Windsor Essex
Amalgamated Transit Union Canada
ATU Local 113
ATU Local 279
ATU Local 569
ATU Local 583
ATU Local 616
ATU Local 846
ATU Local 1505
ATU Local 1572
ATU Local 1573
ATU Local 1724
BC Federation of Labour
BC Poverty Reduction Coalition
Better Transit Alliance of Greater Victoria
Burlington for Accessible Sustainable Transit
Bus Riders of Saskatoon
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Canadian Health Association for Sustainability and Equity (CHASE)
Chase Environmental Action Society
Chilliwack Citizens for Change
Citizens Environment Alliance
Citizens for Public Justice
Citizens United for a Sustainable Planet (CUSP)
Climate Action for Lifelong Learners (CALL)
Climate Action Network - Réseau Action Climat
Climate Emergency Unit
Climate Justice Edmonton
Climate Justice Victoria
ClimateFast
Council of Canadians (National)
Council of Canadians - Avalon/NL Chapter
Council of Canadians - Fredericton Chapter
Council of Canadians - Mid-Island Nanaimo Chapter
Council of Canadians - Terrace Chapter
Council of Canadians - Victoria Chapter
Cowichan Climate Hub
CUPE Local 1348
David Suzuki Foundation
East Kootenay Climate Hub
EK Climate Hub
Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario
Environmental Defence
First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo Environmental Justice Committee
For Our Kids Burnaby
For Our Kids Vancouver
Force of Nature Alliance
Force of Nature Alliance North Shore
Fraser Valley Labour Council
Free Transit Ottawa
Greater Victoria Climate Hub
Green Communities Canada
Greenpeace Canada
Just Earth
Kelowna Climate Coalition
Madhu Verma Migrant Justice Centre
Making Peace Vigil
Mennonite Church Eastern Canada
Michael Janz, Edmonton City Council
MiningWatch Canada
Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders
Nora Gambioli, West Vancouver City Council
Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
Oak Bay Climate Force
Oak Bay Housing Cooperative
Ocean Park Beautification Committee
Okanagan Climate Hub
Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association
Ontario Federation of Labour
Pender Ocean Defenders
Pocket Change Project
Project Neutral
Qathet Climate Alliance
Re-generation
Regina Citizens Public Transit coalition (RCPTC)
Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO)
Saskatoon Cycles
Sectoral Climate Arts Leadership for the Emergency - SCALE
Shanon Zachidniak, Regina City Council
Socially Responsible Investing Cowichan
South Island Climate Action Network
Sue Cairns, Kimberly City Council
Toronto Environmental Alliance
Transit Action Alliance of Guelph
Transition Kamloops
TTCriders
Union of BC Indian Chiefs
United Steelworkers District 6
West Coast Climate Action Network (WE-CAN)
West Kootenay Climate Hub
West Kootenay Transit Action
Wilderness Committee
Women in Urbanism Canada