The Federal Government has recently unveiled their budget, and it's not looking good for public transit. Budget 2025 proposes to slash funding from public services (like transit) to fund the military.
Budget 2025 terminates the $3-billion-per-year Canada Public Transit Fund before it even began, and folds it into the "Building Communities Strong" Fund (Page 309 of the Federal Budget). By moving our dedicated federal transit funding into a more generalized funding pot with competing needs for different kinds of infrastructure, this leaves less money on the table for urgent transit repairs and much-needed transit projects in Toronto - including funding the repair backlog to address subway slow zones, or funding much-needed transit projects like the Waterfront East LRT.
Our ask is clear:
- Protect and expand the Canada Public Transit Fund to address the the TTC’s growing repair backlog and build much-needed transit projects
- Provide stable, recurring operations funding for the TTC to ensure Torontonians can continue to afford transit and be able to get to work on time
The Canada Public Transit Fund was necessary to ensure Toronto was able to fund an order for new Line 2 trains to replacing aging subway cars. This was a much-needed investment in safety and reliability. Without necessary funding to keep Toronto's transit afloat amid a $4.3 billion repair backlog and $232 million operating shortfall, we could see longer waits between trains and buses, fare hikes, and more breakdowns on transit.
Tell Prime Minister Carney and your local MP: Investing in public transit is a nation-building project. Torontonians and Canadians want to see a budget that addresses affordability and builds a stronger Canada, and that means funding public transit that connects communities and opportunities.
Use our email tool to contact your federal elected representatives to take action! The Federal Budget vote is on Monday, November 17.