OREANDA-NEWS. August 24, 2016. The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto are working together to keep Torontonians moving through investments in the repair, modernization and expansion of the city’s transit and active transportation networks. These investments will create jobs, grow the middle class and ensure Toronto remains among the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau—on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities—Toronto Mayor John Tory and Han Dong, MPP (Trinity–Spadina) today announced that multiple infrastructure projects will be getting under way in Toronto thanks to the signing of an agreement with the Province of Ontario that brings a new federal infrastructure funding program into effect: the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF).

This agreement will make nearly \\$3 billion in combined funding—by the Government of Canada, Ontario and municipalities—available for public transit projects that will help ensure residents across the province get to work on time and back home safely to their families at the end of a long day.

For Toronto, this includes:

  • Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) repairs, fleet expansion and modernization;
  • Accessibility improvements;
  • Expanded cycling infrastructure;
  • Pedestrian safety improvements; and
  • Preparation work to advance Toronto’s transit network plan.

These are among PTIF projects that are now eligible for funding across the province, as announced earlier today by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Quotes

“We know that investing in infrastructure is essential to growing the middle class and giving communities the building blocks they need to drive economic and social development. Together, all of these projects will make a real difference in the day-to-day lives of those of us who call Toronto home. As the MP for Toronto Centre and Minister of Finance, I couldn’t be more excited by the impact investments like these will have on Canada’s economy, while making our city greener, cleaner and more liveable.”

- The Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre

“This agreement is an important step in providing quality transit to help keep the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area moving, and to provide visitors to our busiest cities an efficient, reliable transit option. I am pleased the province is a part of this important milestone.”

- Han Dong, MPP for Trinity–Spadina

“Today’s historic investment will make it easier and faster to get around our city. From expanding the number of accessible stations with additional elevators and escalators, repairing and modernizing our TTC vehicles and stations, making significant investment in cycling and pedestrian safety, as well as investing in planning future transit projects like SmartTrack and the Relief Line—we are getting Toronto moving. Big cities like Toronto face unique challenges and with this investment the federal government is showing they are committed to a strong partnership with Toronto.”

- John Tory, Mayor of Toronto

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Quick Facts

  • PTIF funding is part of Phase 1 of Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada’s historic \\$120-billion plan to support public infrastructure across the country over the next 10 years.
  • Phase 1 provides more than \\$11.9 billion in investments to support public transit systems, green infrastructure projects and social infrastructure projects. Details on Phase 2 of Investing in Canada will be announced over the next year.
  • Under the PTIF agreement, the Government of Canada has made its funding retroactive to April 1, 2016, so projects can proceed without delay to ensure a productive construction season.