MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French 1
Press release
$349 million federal investment delivers results: 340 all-electric buses for the TTC
September 27, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada
Public transit gets Canadians where they need to go, creates new jobs in Canada’s manufacturing and construction sectors, reduces pollution and traffic congestion, makes life more affordable, and keeps people and communities connected as they grow. That’s why the federal government is investing in a better public transit system.
Today in Toronto, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, joined by Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, highlighted how the federal government is working with the City of Toronto to improve the speed of public transit for Torontonians.
In April 2023, the federal government and the City of Toronto announced a joint investment of $700 million to secure the supply of 340 battery-electric buses for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). The first two of these 340 electric buses have now joined the TTC’s fleet. All 340 electric buses are expected to be in service by the end of 2026.
This investment will help the TTC, Canada’s largest public transit system, achieve its goal of electrifying its entire bus fleet by 2040.
Strengthening Toronto’s electric bus fleet is just one part of the federal government’s work to improve public transit in Toronto, and across the country. To connect people across the Greater Toronto Area, the federal government is investing $10.4 billion in four major transit projects: the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglington Crosstown LRT Extension, the Ontario Line and the Yonge North Subway Extension. And in July, the federal government launched the Canada Public Transit FundThrough this ongoing, permanent program, the government will invest an average of $3 billion per year to help cities and communities provide better public transit systems for Canadians.
Quotes
“Our government knows that improving public transit is essential to ensuring our economy reaches its full potential. That’s why we’re making historic investments in reliable and sustainable transit infrastructure. Today, delivering new all-electric TTC buses is just one way we’re helping the TTC grow. This investment will give Torontons a faster, cleaner way to get around.”
– The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Quick Facts
Total funding for public transit in Toronto announced since 2015 is $10.4 billion. This includes the following projects:
November 2023: New TTC streetcars. December 2022: Capacity improvements at Bloor-Yonge Station. 2021: New Scarborough Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Line, Ontario Line and Yonge North Subway Extension.
Through the Zero-Emission Public Transit Fund, the federal government is supporting public transit and school bus operators who want to equip themselves with electric buses. In addition, the government is making possible the purchase of 5,000 zero-emission buses and the construction of related infrastructure, such as charging stations.
In Budget 2024, the government announced that any community seeking long-term, predictable funding through the new Canada Public Transit Fund must take steps to directly increase its housing supply. These measures include:
Eliminate all mandatory minimum parking requirements within 800 metres of a high-frequency transit line. Allow high-density housing to be built within 800 metres of a high-frequency transit line. Allow high-density housing to be built within 800 metres of post-secondary institutions. Conduct a housing needs assessment for all communities with a population greater than 30,000.
The Canada Public Transit Fund will provide:
$2 billion per year on average, or $20 billion over 10 years, for the metropolitan region agreements component. $500 million per year on average, or $5 billion over 10 years, for the base funding component. $500 million per year on average, or $5 billion over 10 years, for the targeted funding component.
Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
In Ontario, the public transit component of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program has already supported more than 400 projects to improve public transit. The federal government has committed $8.3 billion, and the provincial government has committed $7.3 billion.
Related links
Contact persons
Media may contact:
Katherine CuplinskasDeputy Director of CommunicationsOffice of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of FinanceKatherine.Cuplinskas@fin.gc.ca
Media RelationsDepartment of Finance Canadamediare@fin.gc.ca613-369-4000
General Inquiries
Phone: 1-833-712-2292Teletypewriter: 613-369-3230Email: financepublic-financepublique@fin.gc.ca
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.