The Medical Officers of Health in the GTHA estimated, for example, that investments in public transit alone could produce $2.1 billion per year in health-related benefits in the GTHA by reducing air pollution and increasing physical activity. Public transit also produces fewer climate emissions per passenger-mile, particularly if transit uses zero emission vehicles. In addition, public transit reduces health inequities among disadvantaged populations by increasing access to jobs, schools, services and recreational opportunities.

Canada’s transportation system should be designed and operated to provide everyone — regardless of age, income, race, or  level of mobility — with safe and viable choices, whether or not they own a car. It should ensure that people in low-income neighborhoods and racialized and Indigenous communities have opportunities to fully participate in local and regional economies. 

Transportation spending must be:

1. Assessed through an equity lens to ensure that it is providing exclusively sustainable mobility options to all Canadians. 

2. Coordinated through a coherent national vision for public health benefits, climate impacts, sustainability, mobility and social inclusion. For example, funding could include strict conditions for things like providing affordable housing close to public transit services and ensuring the low-income neighbourhoods receive greater levels of service commensurate with their needs.

3. Prioritized to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis by making low or zero carbon public transit, that is integrated with active modes of transportation, the primary means of transportation and shifting away from urban highway and airport expansion.