Prepared by Kim Perrotta MHSc, Executive Director, CAPE

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Traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is a huge problem.   Many of us agree that we need to expand and improve public transit service to get cars off the road.  Huge strides have been made to improve public transit across the region over the last 10 years by all levels of government.  However, a significant funding gap still exists.  We need to let the candidates running for election know that we see public transit as an essential service that benefits all of us! Find your candidate here: (http://www.qpbriefing.com/2017/01/05/nominated-candidates-for-the-2018-ontario-provincial-election/)

Let your candidates know why public transit should be a priority:

• It improves air quality, preventing hundreds of early deaths each year
• It reduces chronic diseases that cost billions of dollars each year
• It decreases traffic congestion that costs about $6 billion per year   
• It increases access to jobs and recreation for those who cannot drive or do not have cars 
• It slows climate climate and helps to secure a healthy future for our children.

Traffic-related air pollution in the GTHA gives rise to about 1000 early deaths and 3000 to 4000 hospital admissions each year.  Air pollution contributes to strokes and heart attacks. It aggravates asthma and respiratory infections.  It increases rates of heart disease and lung disease.   By investing in public transit across the region, we can reduce air pollution, save hundreds of lives each year, and reduce health care spending.

Each year, approximately 7,000 residents in the GTHA will develop heart disease and another 60,000 will develop diabetes.  The rates of these and other chronic diseases can be reduced by increasing levels of physical activity.  Studies have shown that people who take public transit get much of the physical activity needed to maintain their health because they walk or cycle at one or both ends of their transit trip.  By investing in public transit, we can increase physical activity, reduce chronic diseases, prevent hundreds of early deaths each year, and reduce health-related costs by nearly $1 billion each year.

With 7.1 million people living in the GTHA, residents in the region make approximately 13.6 million trips per day.  With the current population, traffic congestion costs us about $6 billion per year in delays, vehicle operating costs, traffic collisions, and lost economic activity.  These delays create stress and lost-time for drivers.  Time that could be spent with family or friends.   Time that could be spent playing soccer or riding a bike.  By investing in public transit, we can reduce traffic congestion, decrease lost time and stress for drivers, and save billions of dollars.

Transit also increases access to jobs, services and recreational opportunities for those who cannot drive or who do not own cars.  In this way, it can increase health, the quality of life, and opportunities for all members in our society.

The World Health Organization has declared climate change to be the greatest public health threat of the 21st century.  In Ontario, the transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.  Transit generates far fewer greenhouse gases than travel by car.  By investing in transit, we can reduce greenhouse gases, meet our commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement, and secure a healthy future for our children.

As we head into a Provincial election it is more important than ever to let your candidates know that public transit is an important investment that will benefit everyone!!  

Find your candidate here: http://www.qpbriefing.com/2017/01/05/nominated-candidates-for-the-2018-ontario-provincial-election/