Ontario Providing More Transit Funding for Thunder Bay
Ontario is boosting support for Thunder Bay, providing them with reliable, long-term funding to improve and expand local transit and offer more travel options for commuters and families.
Starting in 2019, Ontario will increase funding for Thunder Bay and other municipal transit systems across the province through an enhancement to the existing gas tax program, doubling the municipal share from two cents per litre to four cents by 2021. There will be no increase in the tax that people in Ontario pay on gasoline as a result of the enhancement to the program.
Thunder Bay which has received an average of about $1.8 million per year in gas tax funding, could see its funding increased to an estimated $2.3 million in 2019-20, $2.7 million in 2020-21 and to $3.6 million in 2021-22.
Thunder Bay is able to use gas tax funding to make major infrastructure upgrades, buy additional transit vehicles, add more routes, extend hours of service, implement fare strategies and improve accessibility. Supporting stronger public transit systems is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
QUOTES
“I am proud of our Province’s commitment to increasing funding for public transit. The increase in gas tax funding for the City of Thunder Bay reduces the amount the City of Thunder Bay is required to contribute from tax dollars collected from City residents. This funding will also assist in continuing to build up our local economy, as well as contribute to the overall well-being of people in our Community.”
- Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay – Atikokan
“This is great news for users of Thunder Bay transit. Increased gas tax funding will help improve services for all and help Thunder Bay broaden the appeal of public transit.”
- Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay - Superior North
“Transit plays a critical role in the vitality of our City and contributes to quality of life for our citizens, as well as visitors. We are thrilled with the Province’s ongoing investment in the Gas Tax
Program. This investment will continue to improve our public transit system and allow us to continue to improve Transit, working towards a healthy, vibrant, connected and strong City.”
- Mayor Keith Hobbs, City of Thunder Bay
“We’ve heard loud and clear from municipalities that they need more sustainable funding for public transit to keep up with the demand to provide more service. By modernizing Ontario’s gas tax program we are helping municipalities improve their local transit service so people can easily get where they need to be.”
— Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation
QUICK FACTS
§ Funding will increase to 2.5 cents per litre in 2019–20, 3 cents in 2020–21 and 4 cents in 2021–22.
§ This year the province committed $334.5 million in gas tax funding to 99 municipalities. This amount is expected to increase to about $401.3 million in 2019–20, $481.5 million in 2020–21, $642 million in 2021–22.
§ Ontario made gas tax program funding permanent in 2013 to provide a stable source for municipal transit investments.
§ One bus takes up to 40 vehicles off the road, and keeps 25 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere each year.
§ Research shows that every $100 million of public infrastructure investment in Ontario boosts GDP by $114 million, particularly in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
