Commuters wait to board the subway in Toronto, on Jan. 2, 2019. Toronto is set to receive nearly $1.2-billion over a decade from Ottawa for transit, with $758-million for 55 new subway cars for the Toronto Transit Commission’s Line 2.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
Mayors whose cities have received millions in public transit funding commitments from the federal government are worried that political upheaval in Ottawa could jeopardize support for the much-needed investments.
Municipalities are counting on a national transit fund totalling $30-billion over a decade for new buses, subway trains and other infrastructure. The money, announced in 2024 by the federal Liberal government, would start flowing next year.
However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent announcement that he will resign after a new Liberal Party leader is chosen in March and the prospect of a spring federal election has cast doubt on the planned spending.
“It’s like any potential change in government – there’s always some nervousness around what programs will be continued and what ones won’t,” Danny Breen, Mayor of St. John’s, said in an interview. “There’s always some concern as you see a changing political landscape happening.”
Last month, the federal government announced $13-million over 10 years for St. John’s transit under the Canada Public Transit Fund.
The city’s bus system has experienced a sharp increase in ridership since the pandemic, Mr. Breen said. He added that expanding transit across the country is a critical part of helping ease the housing crisis and that he expects whatever party wins the next federal election to support investments in transit.
Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre said the prospect of a federal election casts an element of uncertainty over the announcement last month of $14-million over a decade for the city’s transit system.
“It is concerning. But I think it’s part of the reality if there is a change of government,” he said. “So I think we’ve got to wait and see.”
In the largest announcement under the program, then-deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland said in November that Toronto would receive nearly $1.2-billion over a decade. Of the total, $758-million is for 55 new subway cars for the Toronto Transit Commission’s Line 2, which would be matched by the province and city.
The City of Toronto considers the funding a done deal and launched the procurement process last month with a request for proposals, said Zeus Eden, a spokesman for Mayor Olivia Chow.
“The funding is committed from both the federal and provincial governments. The RFP has been issued and we look forward to seeing riders on the new cars,” he said in an e-mail.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whose party is leading in public opinion polls, has not provided plans for transit funding but has pledged to tie investments to the creation of high-density housing around stations. A spokesman for Mr. Poilievre did not return requests for comment.
During a meeting last fall, a group of big-city mayors and transit advocates urged the federal government to speed up funding and enshrine the Canada Public Transit Fund in legislation “to ensure its long-term predictability.”
Municipalities need reliable funding both for existing transit and to expand service to support new housing, said Marco D’Angelo, president of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, whose members include transit agencies across the country.
“It’s so important that this funding happen,” he said. “Building transit and housing go together.”
Housing and Infrastructure Minister Nate Erskine-Smith, who took over the portfolio last month, is committed to improving public transit and officials will continue to finalize agreements under the Canada Public Transit Fund, said spokeswoman Sofia Ouslis.
The federal government characterizes the program as “the largest public transit investment in Canadian history.” Funding is available to expand, improve and modernize transit systems, but advocates have criticized the program for not covering operating costs.
Municipalities applying to the fund must allow high-density housing and eliminate mandatory minimum parking requirements within 800 metres of transit lines.