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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.