City disappointed there is no new money for OC Transpo in federal, Ontario budgets
Ottawa's interim city manager says the city is "disappointed" that there is no new funding for public transit in neither the federal nor Ontario budgets, and city officials will continue to pursue funding from the upper levels of government to address a gap in transit revenue.
Tuesday's federal budget contained no new money for transit infrastructure or funding to help municipalities operate transit services. The Liberal government budget does say the government will provide an update later this year on plans to provide $3 billion per year in permanent transit funding, starting in 2026.
Last week's Ontario budget also made no mention of funding for municipal transit services.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Wendy Stephanson said the COVID-19 pandemic has "disproportionately affected" the city of Ottawa and funding is needed to help the city move forward.
"I would suggest that we are disappointed with respect to both budgets that were tabled and the lack of announcement in those," Stephanson said.
"When you look at our transit service here in the city of Ottawa, we have been disproportionately affected in terms of what's happened to our ridership, the return to our downtown core – whether it be private companies or the federal government, it's affected us.
"We know we have a gap but we are going to continue to pursue the money from other levels of government and seek that assistance."
The 2023 OC Transpo budget is projecting a $39 million deficit, with staff hoping the upper levels of government would provide funding to cover transit deficits.
"For the next while, we do have a mitigation plan in place, but we need to have those necessary conversations because it's not just going to affect the city for (2023), it's likely to affect us beyond that," Stephanson said.
"We need to look at that gap before the federal funding comes in for that permanent funding they've talked about in 2026."
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says the city's "priorities remain working towards sustainable long-term funding solutions" for transit and other issues.
"Due to the financial pressures facing municipalities, it has never been more important to build on the collaborative relationship that exists with upper levels of government and to find new opportunities that will generate mutual benefits," Sutcliffe said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa on Wednesday.
In December, the city of Ottawa received $63.3 million under stage 4 of the Safe Restart Agreement to cover transit costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A report for next week's finance and corporate services committee meeting says the city will receive an additional $7.48 million to offset fare revenue lost during the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.