CAA applauds provincial move to enhance gas tax program

Increased transit funding for Ontario's municipalities benefits all road users and signals a positive step towards improving mobility and addressing congestion

THORNHILL, ON, Jan. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - As a leading advocate for transportation, infrastructure and motorists CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) supports today's announcement to increase the municipal share of gas tax funds starting in 2019.

"Moving from two cents for every litre sold to four cents by 2021/22 is a critical step towards sustainable infrastructure funding in Ontario's municipalities," said Elliott Silverstein, manager of government relations, CAA SCO. "Municipalities across Ontario will be able to access these funds and help address infrastructure deficiencies in their local communities."

CAA has called upon the Province through its annual CAA Worst Roads campaign for additional and dedicated funding to ensure sufficient and safe infrastructure, citing the need for an increased share of the gas tax to be provided to municipalities.

A 2013 Conference Board of Canada report commissioned by CAA SCO entitled, "Where Rubber Meets the Road", revealed that motorists in Ontario cover between 70 and 80 per cent of the costs associated with the maintenance of Ontario's road network through fees and gas taxes. That figure rises to 100 per cent in the GTHA.

"It is important that governments consider all available options to address congestion and transportation challenges in Ontario," continues Silverstein. "Motorists already bear a majority of the costs associated with road use such as maintenance, congestion delays and fuel costs. Road pricing such as tolls is either a congestion reduction tool or a way to raise more money and usually not effective at achieving both at the same time."

"With additional investment by the province towards infrastructure, municipalities can focus on a number of tools and plans to create the mobility and technology options to tackle gridlock," concludes Silverstein.

At today's announcement Premier Wynne reassured Ontarians that there will be no increase in the tax that Ontarians pay on gasoline.

About CAA South Central Ontario
As a leader and advocate for road safety and mobility, CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club which represents the interests of 2 million members. For over a century, CAA has collaborated with communities, police services and governments to help keep drivers and their families safe while travelling on our roads.

SOURCE CAA South Central Ontario

To view this news release in HTML formatting, please use the following URL: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2017/27/c3091.html

Kaitlynn Furse, PR Manager, P: [phone], C: [phone], E: [email protected]; Jeff LeMoine, Communications Consultant, P: [phone], C: [phone], E: [email protected]

Related Links

www.caasco.com