The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and big city mayors want Ottawa to create a national public transportation strategy so that cities can have predictable funding and conduct long-term planning.
"The amount we're asking for is $2 billion per year, but we're also asking for that program to require cities in their land-use planning to plan around public transit ... to make it a priority," Toronto's Mayor David Miller told CTV Newsnet's Mike Duffy Live on Monday.
"Public transit's essential, whether it's to meet your environmental goals (or) your economic goals ... if Canada's going to succeed as a country, its cities have to succeed."
The mayors point out that in 2005, it cost $4.2 billion to operate transit systems in Canada, according to the Canadian Urban Transit Association. Total revenues were just $2.6 billion.
Municipalities had to make up 94 per cent of the shortfall, they say. Some provincial governments provide operating contributions, but the federal government does not help.
By way of comparison, in the United States, federal and state governments contributed 30 per cent of operating costs of U.S. transit systems in 2003.
Canada remains the only OECD country without a long-term, predictable federal transit-investment policy.
They say the Canadian federal government needs to start investing in transit to help the country deal with climate change, since one city bus can carry as many passengers as 50 cars and emits one-tenth the pollution.
Edmonton city councillor Karen Liebovici says transit systems across the country need $20.7 billion for infrastructure from now to 2010, to keep the current transit systems running and expand them to accommodate more riders.
"Without predictable, long-term funding, municipalities cannot plan and finance long-term transit project," she says.
Montreal Mayor G�rald Tremblay says that not only do many Canadians find public transit to be an affordable and accessible means to get around the city, transit increases the appeal of metropolitan regions.
"Public transit also has several positive spin-offs in terms of reducing traffic and improving the quality of life and health of citizens," he says.
It's expected the federal government will offer Ontario $1 billion in federal funding later this week to boost rapid transit in the Greater Toronto Area.
"Part of it's in Toronto. We're extending the subway out beyond Toronto's border," Miller said. Other money will go to roads and public transit outside Toronto's borders.
The feds will reportedly provide $697 million in funding to extend Toronto's subway line.
The province and the municipalities of Toronto and York have already committed money to the project, which will create a much-needed stop at York University.
"I think in the big picture, this shows that every federal party understands it's necessary to invest in public transit and to invest in cities," he said.
Last year, the Conservatives brought in a tax credit for those who purchase monthly public transit passes.
Miller said that was a good step, but added the biggest priority for getting people out of cars is to ensure there is convenient rapid, public transit.
