The Urban Transportation Task Force of the Council of Deputy Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety prepared a report in 2005 entitled Urban Transportation in Canada: Needs and Opportunities, which provided a snapshot of investment requirements for public transit and urban roads at that time.  The Task Force has recently taken stock of progress with respect to urban transit and released a new report that highlights trends and challenges.  The report points to rising fuel costs and the economic slowdown as more recent challenges that affect the context in which transit decisions are made.  Much has been accomplished but much more remains to be done. 

Emerging from the Urban Transportation Task Force’s review of the status of transit in Canada, recent investments and plans for the future, four recommendations are made. They are (1) that all levels of government need to work together to provide adequate funding to support transit, while respecting jurisdictional responsibilities; (2) that recent federal investments in public transit have supported national economic, social, and environmental priorities, and the federal government’s continued commitment to provide sustainable, predictable, long-term funding for transit is welcomed; (3) that the movement of people and goods in urban areas must be improved through greater investment in transit, transportation demand management, improved planning processes, and the use of advanced technology; and (4) that all governments should promote transit use by raising public awareness of its economic, social, and environmental benefits.   

This report and its contents have been approved by the Council of Ministers and represent a consensus of the Task Force membership, which includes eight provinces and the federal government.  As such, it provides an excellent opportunity to proceed with the national transit policy development process. 

For more information, visit the Council of Ministers web site or contact Michael Roschlau at extension 104.