Greater Toronto Summit 2011 Breakout Session

The Challenge: In 2008, Metrolinx outlined coordinated and comprehensive regional transportation improvements in its “Big Move” Regional Transportation Plan. Recent CivicAction reports have documented the significant and growing economic, environmental and social costs of not making these improvements. Among other things, maintaining the status quo in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) will see annual direct and indirect costs of congestion grow from $6 billion in 2006 to $15 billion by 2031. The “Big Move” plan will evolve, but the region cannot afford changes that will cause unreasonable delays or significant cost increases, or unduly water down the goal of providing regional rapid transit within walking distance for a majority of Toronto region residents, with improved transit service to low-income areas.

Find the backgrounder for Keeping on Track: Moving The Big Move Forward here.

Transportation Roundtable proceedings document available here.

"Transportation: Making the Right Choice" (Transportation & Other Infrastructure Working Group Context Paper) available here.

"Time to Get Serious: Reliable Funding for GTHA Transit / Transportation Infrastructure" (Transportation & Other Infrastructure Working Group Discussion Paper) available here.

Moderator: Tess Kalinowski, The Star

Speakers

• Leslie Woo, Vice President, Policy and Planning, Metrolinx/GO Transit
• Daniel Bergeron, Vice President of Strategic Information and Metropolitan Affairs, L'Agence Métropolitaine de Transport
• Susan Eng, Vice President of Advocacy, CARP

1. Provincial legislation calls for Metrolinx to produce a comprehensive investment strategy by June 1, 2013. What actions can be taken to help ensure sustainable funding for the RTP, and by whom, with at least some of the new funding instruments designed to help moderate or reduce congestion levels in some corridors?
2. How can Metrolinx, all levels of government, CivicAction, and other stakeholders foster effective communications across the region, with the goal of expanding public support for the RTP?
3. The Big Move RTP is a comprehensive 25-year transportation plan, and it is reasonable to expect that over that period there will be refinements and changes proposed. Some changes will not impact the overall plan’s goals and objectives but more significant changes could. In the short term, some changes could considerably modify the length of time and cost to realize the vision.