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Mayor Eddie Francis Releases National Transit Strategy Proposal Windsor, March 5, 2007 – Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis, member of the FCM Big City Mayors’ Caucus, along with 21 other Big City Mayors, today called on the federal government to create a national transit strategy that would not only take some concrete steps to addressing climate change but also make cities more competitive. “The Canadian Urban Transit Association says transit systems across the country need $20.7 billion for infrastructure from now to 2010,” said Mayor Eddie Francis. “That’s about $4.2 billion a year to keep our systems running and expand them to accommodate more riders. Without predictable, long-term funding, municipalities cannot plan and finance long-term transit projects.” Investing in transit can also assist the country as a whole to address climate change. The transportation sector accounts for 30 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, and passenger vehicles are the highest contributor of emissions in the transportation sector at 70 percent of emissions. Considering that one city bus can carry as many passengers as 50 cars and pollutes 18 times less, a national transit strategy is a logical step to help address climate change. While the mayors recognize that the federal government already makes some investments in transit, the need is much greater than the federal funds currently available and than what the property tax and user fees can yield. In addition to $2 billion a year for capital expenses, the mayors’ proposal calls for integrated land use and transportation planning, incentives to encourage people to use transit, research to support greater transit use, and measures to ensure all governments are accountable. The release of this national transit strategy proposal complements a June 2005 BCMC report that provided recommendations for addressing the fiscal imbalance in cities. The Caucus recommended the creation of a national transit strategy, the realignment of roles and responsibilities with appropriate resources and sharing revenues that grow with the economy with cities. The BCMC is actively pursuing the adoption of all of these recommendations to ensure Canada’s cities and the country as a whole prosper and that Canadians enjoy the quality of life they deserve. Documents:
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FCM National Transit Strategy