Additional sales taxes, increased property taxes, and a tax on commercial parking spaces are just some of the 11 funding options being considered to pay for a long overdue transit expansion in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
According to Ontario’s Premier, Ontarians will know by next spring how the provincial government wants to pay for the public transit expansion that is needed to make a dent in the GTA’s traffic gridlock. On Wednesday, the Premier announced the appointment of an expert panel to examine the controversial, but crucial, funding options identified by Metrolinx, the province’s transit authority.
“Releasing the government’s transit-funding plan in the spring could mean the measures will be included in a March budget” writes Rob Ferguson, “requiring support from the Progressive Conservatives or New Democrats to avoid an election.”
“But both parties,” he continues, “have rejected tax increases to pay for transit expansion, saying Ontarians are hard-pressed to afford another hit in the pocketbook.”
FULL STORY: Transit: Kathleen Wynne names panel to report on revenue sources
Cost Estimates Nearly Double for Toronto Light Rail Plan
Cost estimate for Toronto's proposed Eglinton East LRT have ballooned from $2.3 billion to as much as $4.4 billion.
Less Free Parking for Transit Commuters in Southern Ontario
Transit planners in the region around Toronto are planning a "parking modernization" program that will charge for parking at GO stations and hope to provide new ways to access the system—without a car.
Toronto Mayor Proposes New Property Taxes to Fund Transit and Housing
The proposal by Mayor John Tory is being hailed as a game changer in Canada's most populous city.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service