Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Amid Talk Of Road Tolls, Federal Memo Says Poorer Commuters Rely Heavily On Cars

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Jul, 2016 11:30 AM
    OTTAWA — An internal federal analysis says lower income Canadians are highly dependent on cars to get to work — a finding that surfaces as Ottawa considers infrastructure investment models that could put more toll booths on the country's roads.
     
    The February briefing note was prepared weeks before the Trudeau government signalled its intention to engage institutional investors, such as pension funds, to help raise money for public infrastructure projects.
     
    Senior pension plan officials have said they are looking to invest in infrastructure projects with reliable, predictable returns that could include user fees — like road tolls.
     
     
    The Finance Department memo says user fees ensure that those who benefit most from infrastructure are the ones who pay for it.
     
    But a case study contained in the secret briefing package warns that when it comes to road tolls, a significant proportion of lower-income Canadians could be forced to dig into their wallets.
     
    The document says 77 per cent of taxpayers in the bottom fifth of all income earners commute to work in private vehicles.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Peace Region Town Hopes Garlic Can Fight Pesky Mosquitoes

      The District of Taylor has approved a pilot project to apply an environmentally friendly but potent garlic solution to several areas around town in hopes of wiping out mosquitoes.

    Peace Region Town Hopes Garlic Can Fight Pesky Mosquitoes

    Toronto Real Estate Prices Soar In June; Sales Volume Up But New Listings Fall

    Toronto Real Estate Prices Soar In June; Sales Volume Up But New Listings Fall
    The Toronto Real Estate Board says there were 12,794 residential transactions through its members in June — 7.5 per cent more than the same month last year.

    Toronto Real Estate Prices Soar In June; Sales Volume Up But New Listings Fall

    Jason Kenney May Not Be The One To Unite Right In Alberta: Ex-Wildrose Leader

    "It's going to be an uphill battle for him ... because of some of the positions that he has taken on conservative social issues in the past," said radio host and former politician Danielle Smith.

    Jason Kenney May Not Be The One To Unite Right In Alberta: Ex-Wildrose Leader

    Lawsuit Filed Over Federal Permits For Alleged Bee-Killing Pesticide

    Lawsuit Filed Over Federal Permits For Alleged Bee-Killing Pesticide
    TORONTO — Environmental groups are filing a lawsuit over federal permits for two common pesticides that some say are behind large die-offs in bee populations.

    Lawsuit Filed Over Federal Permits For Alleged Bee-Killing Pesticide

    Feds To Spend $50m On New Health Facilities, Upgrades On Manitoba First Nations

    Feds To Spend $50m On New Health Facilities, Upgrades On Manitoba First Nations
    Health Minister Jane Philpott announced Tuesday in Norway House that $50 million will go towards building new health centres in Pimicikamak, also known as Cross Lake, as well as God’s Lake Narrows, Lac Brochet and Red Sucker Lake First Nations.

    Feds To Spend $50m On New Health Facilities, Upgrades On Manitoba First Nations

    Man Arrested After Car Chase With Surrey RCMP Near The Pacific Highway Border Crossing

    Man Arrested After Car Chase With Surrey RCMP Near The Pacific Highway Border Crossing
    One person has been taken into custody after a police incident at the Pacific Highway border crossing in Surrey, B.C.

    Man Arrested After Car Chase With Surrey RCMP Near The Pacific Highway Border Crossing