Mr. Speaker, supporting public transit is an admirable goal and an essential goal.
Increased transit use leads to decreased traffic congestion, decreased pollution and related health care costs, decreased need for infrastructure to support car use, increased transit revenues. It starts a positive cycle where all transit users, including seniors, students and low income families, benefit from better transit service. All taxpayers benefit from the cost savings associated with less single occupancy vehicle use.
Last week in this House we were presented with the opportunity to accept the motion of our NDP colleague to consider making employer provided transit passes an income tax exempt benefit. The proposal would be an excellent step in the federal government's battle to meet our Kyoto commitment. It is one of the few incentives available to support public transit use. I would urge this government and the Minister of Finance to seriously consider this initiative.