One of the core elements of Transit Vision 2040, which is the very first strategic direction of the vision, is the development of an overarching and comprehensive Canadian transit policy framework. All orders of government should work together in developing a framework of national transit policies that are integrated and mutually supportive. Such a framework should clarify jurisdictional roles, responsibilities, and priorities. It should highlight goals for transit and identify synergies among the objectives of different stakeholders. It is essential to establish a collaborative process, with each involved jurisdiction taking responsibility for developing, approving, and implementing its own policies.
Some of you may wonder what the impact of such a framework would be. After all, the federal government already contributes nearly $1 billion in transit every year without any national strategy or policy framework. It may even look like the ideal situation: money with no guidelines, no directions, no goals, and no strings attached. Such an analysis would not reflect the nature of the transit industry and the complexity and necessity of long-term planning.
Let's take a look at a recent study by Statistics Canada entitled “Commuting to Work: Results of the 2010 General Social Survey” to try to better understand why a clear, ambitious, and long-term approach to public transit is needed. The report showed that the daily commute to work was on average longer by public transit than by car. Without going into the details of the study, the report points out, and I quote, that “many buses use the same road lanes as private cars”. The report goes on to say, “the use of bus lanes and underground rail lines can speed up public transit commutes and even make them shorter than automobile commutes”.
Without realizing it, the authors of the report touched on something that is well understood in our industry. The future of the sector lies in rapid transit and in better integration of public transit and urban design. Rapid transit, whether it is light-rail transit or bus rapid transit using dedicated corridors, takes years to plan and build. These modes of transportation are highly efficient, but they require major investment and close collaboration among all orders of government. In order to get the approval to launch rapid transit projects, local authorities need to have the assurance that all orders of government will be present and will be partners from the beginning until the end of the project.
For some, the question of developing such a policy framework is essentially tied to areas of jurisdiction. Is it the role of the federal government to undertake that initiative? On this point, we must consider the contribution of public transit in its entirety and not just as a conventional means of transportation.
For example, by reducing the number of cars on the roads in urban centres, we are reducing the number of problems related to road congestion and we are promoting the smoother flow of goods and services, which will have a positive impact on productivity and economic growth. Consequently, our communities will be more competitive within North America, which will attract greater investments and benefit the economy of the country as whole.
This is also part of the federal government's desire to make economic growth a priority. Furthermore, the goal of the Government of Canada to improve the gateways to promote international trade goes hand in hand with an urban transportation strategy. What is the point of improving gateways if goods remain stuck in traffic and cannot reach the nerve centres efficiently?
Public transit also has an impact on air quality and greenhouse gas emission. It goes without saying that air pollution crosses provincial borders. Reducing air pollution would improve air quality and have a beneficial effect on health, thereby cutting health care costs related to respiratory diseases.
Improving quality of life is not the responsibility of just one specific jurisdiction, but rather, it must be a central consideration for all levels of government.
For us, there is no doubt that the federal government should work with all provinces, territories, and municipalities to develop a comprehensive Canadian transit policy framework.
We will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.