CivicAction responds to Premier Wynne's transportation funding speech

TORONTO, April 14, 2014 /CNW/ - The Premier today announced her government's intentions to spend $29 billion over the next decade for transit and transportation infrastructure in Ontario with up to $15 billion for the GTHA, by raising new money, re-directing existing revenues, and debt financing.

In response to Premier Wynne's speech at the Toronto Region Board of Trade, CivicAction issued the following statement:

"After enduring years of gridlock, it looks like residents across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) may finally get some relief. This signals an important step toward long-term investment that we all have been calling for and which can be built on.

While what we heard today doesn't get us all the way there, we're encouraged by the multi-year commitment to money that is dedicated to transportation improvement, so we know money will be there when we need it.

Today's announcement responds to many of the principles in CivicAction's Pledge to Get a Move On.

It's clear that people want action, and will reward politicians for their leadership on this critical issue.

• A poll released by the Move the GTHA shows strong public support for a political leader who helps get our region moving (59% of GTHA residents would support a political leader who brought in new funding sources for transportation improvements). 
  
  
• Thousands of residents and civic leaders and close to half (171) of all politicians across the GTHA have signed CivicAction's Your32 Pledge to Get a Move On that shows support for investment that is dedicated, transparent and accountable, and sustainable.

Each of Ontario's party leaders should know that support for investment is there. This is a defining moment for our region and we need each of the party leaders to be ready to say how they'll deliver the money we need to get our region moving.

Otherwise, we face the consequences of indecision—a stagnant economy, frustrated residents, and a region stalled by its own unrealized potential."

About CivicAction's Your32 campaign - CivicAction and its 50+ team of civic Champions and Regional Co-Captains aim to build support for a better regional transportation system and the need for new sustainable ways to pay for it. For more information, visit www.your32.com.

About CivicAction
For the past 10 years, the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance (CivicAction) has brought together senior executives and rising leaders from all sectors to tackle some of our region's toughest social, economic, and environmental challenges. For more information, visit: www.civicaction.ca, @CivicActionGTA

SOURCE: CivicAction

Media Contact: Keesha Bell, CivicAction, 416-309-4480 x508, [email protected]