CAA SCO statement

TORONTO, Oct. 9, 2012 /CNW/ - CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) strongly urges the province to take a leadership role with affected municipalities and residents within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) regarding revenue tools for Metrolinx's Big Move plan.

Today, a report on funding for the plan is being reviewed by the City of Toronto's Executive Committee.

The Big Move has far reaching impacts on transit and transportation but this conversation at City Hall only speaks to the 2.6 million people in Toronto.

Meanwhile, the growing problem of traffic congestion and the need for an integrated transit system extends well beyond the boundaries of Toronto. The issues sprawl into the 905 region to the north, east and west and affect 4 million GTHA residents.

The GTHA voice needs to be listened to and heard as well. For this reason, CAA SCO doesn't believe that the City of Toronto should move forward with a consultation process in isolation of other municipalities. The City of Toronto should recommend that the province take a leadership role in conducting regional consultations.

City Council plans to consult with Toronto residents on new taxes and fees such as gas tax, sales tax and Personal Income Tax; however the City of Toronto doesn't have jurisdiction to implement any of these taxes.

The GTHA needs a long-term funded regional plan that will offer solutions and reflects how and where people commute each and every day, while also preparing for future residency patterns.

 CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering insurance, travel, automotive care and roadside services. There are more than 1.8 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and 5 million members in Canada. We're more than Roadside Assistance. We're Life-side Assistance. Visit www.caasco.com.  

SOURCE: CAA South Central Ontario

Media contact: Silvana Aceto, Media and PR Specialist, CAA SCO, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone] or Jeff LeMoine, Internal/External PR Specialist, [email protected], Office: [phone], Cell: [phone].