Transit and transportation are key issues for Brampton given the growing ridership of the city’s Zum lines, as well as talks about a second highway through the city. Brampton is also in the process of studying alternative LRT routes and will likely look for funding from the province after the loss of $400 million in provincial funding for transit after rejecting the LRT on Main Street.
Liberal Party of Ontario
The Liberals want to fund a variety of projects and their plans could mean more transit funding at the municipal level. They have promised to:
- Set aside $79 billion for various public transit projects, including up $24 billion from the 2017 budget which could mean more immediate funding for some projects
- Fund the high-speed rail line between Toronto to Windsor to the tune of $11 billion
- The remaining funding from the $79 billion would go to funding municipalities for projects that allow for broader regional infrastructure
- Match the federal government’s infrastructure grant with a $4 billion contribution from the provincial infrastructure budgets to go towards public transit projects across Ontario between now and 2028
Ontario New Democratic Party
The NDP plans to invest $800 million in transit across the province, they promise to:
- Cover 50 percent of all municipal transit operating costs, which could mean approximately $33 million in funds for Brampton
- Introduce two way all day GO train service on the Kitchener Line and between Toronto, Brampton, and Waterloo
- Start construction immediately on Hamilton’s light rail transit project and Toronto’s downtown subway relief line
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
Doug Ford hasn’t provided very many details about his plans for infrastructure, but he has mentioned a few things, including:
- Develop new transportation infrastructure to open access to the Ring of Fire mining project in Northern Ontario’s James Bay Lowlands
- Open Hamilton’s $1.3 billion LRT project to a vote. Ford says that even if voters reject the LRT, Hamilton would receive the money for other infrastructure projects
- Cut aviation fuel taxes on interprovincial flights to and from Northern Ontario
- Revisit the GTA West Highway project that would build a highway through Vaughan, Brampton, and Milton
Sources: Ontario Liberals, Ontario NDP, Ontario PC, Global News, CBC News, Maclean’s