Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Feds offer cities aid for transit shortfalls

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Feb, 2022 12:25 PM
  • Feds offer cities aid for transit shortfalls

OTTAWA - The federal government is offering cities a one-time cash infusion of $750 million to help make up for shortfalls in transit revenues linked to COVID-19.

But the pledge comes with what Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland calls two "reasonable requirements."

Provinces must match the funding, and work with cities to more quickly increase the supply of housing.

Freeland says municipalities need the financial help to manage the economic repercussions of the pandemic and maintain transit systems.

Ridership dropped precipitously during the first wave of COVID-19 and has remained low through rounds of restrictions, depriving municipal coffers of the money needed to run and maintain buses, subways and light-rail systems.

The mayors of Canada's biggest cities asked during last year's election for a multi-year funding commitment to help make up shortfalls that could take beyond the pandemic to recoup.

Late last month, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities raised the need for urgent financial support as the Omicron wave of COVID-19 further strained systems, projecting serious ridership and revenue problems.

In Toronto, the operating shortfall this year is expected to be $561 million, Edmonton is forecasting a $53.7-million shortfall and Vancouver expects a deficit of up to $100 million.

The federation's big city mayors' caucus warned that too little funding could lead to transit cuts, fare hikes or property tax increases that could limit the economic recovery.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Police renew warning to Ottawa demonstrators

Police renew warning to Ottawa demonstrators
Police renewed warnings to downtown Ottawa protesters to get out of the parliamentary precinct Wednesday, this time with the federal Emergencies Act in their arsenal. Officers walked along Wellington Street handing out notices to protesters encamped there, telling them they "must leave the area now."

Police renew warning to Ottawa demonstrators

Alaska harvesting depleted B.C. salmon: advocates

Alaska harvesting depleted B.C. salmon: advocates
Canada and the United States ratified the Pacific Salmon Treaty in 1985 to manage cross-border harvesting,but it wasn't designed to deal with climate change and stocks that are in crisis, said Greg Knox, executive director of SkeenaWild Conservation Trust based in Terrace, B.C.

Alaska harvesting depleted B.C. salmon: advocates

Former boyfriend of Surrey teen Kiran Dhesi pleads guilty to her murder

Former boyfriend of Surrey teen Kiran Dhesi pleads guilty to her murder
Inside the vehicle was a deceased female body that had sustained injuries consistent with homicide. The female victim was dentified as Bhavkiran (Kiran) Dhesi, 19 of Surrey.

Former boyfriend of Surrey teen Kiran Dhesi pleads guilty to her murder

IHIT investigating homicide of a 30 year old male in Abbotsford

IHIT investigating homicide of a 30 year old male in Abbotsford
Abbotsford Police Investigating a Homicide on Simon Ave. Victim is a 30-year-old male. Investigators are in the early stages. No information to suggest the public is at risk.

IHIT investigating homicide of a 30 year old male in Abbotsford

519 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

519 COVID19 cases for Tuesday
There are 787 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 124 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, two new deaths (Northern Health) have been reported, for an overall total of 2,766.

519 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

Vancouver man gets life for 2017 murder: police

Vancouver man gets life for 2017 murder: police
Police say the 61-year-old Kunik died in February 2017 after being stabbed repeatedly while he was alone on the Stanley Park seawall. The department says Lagimodiere was arrested 11 months after the death.    

Vancouver man gets life for 2017 murder: police