June 21, 2016
The Honourable Kathleen Wynne
Ontario Premier
The Honourable Bob Chiarelli
Minister of Infrastructure
Re: Funding Request for City of Ottawa Low-income Transit Pass
Dear Premier Wynne and Minister Chiarelli:
We are today writing on behalf of Making Voices Count, a coalition of organizations that brings together community organizations and residents to work with City Council to enhance the health and well-being of Ottawa communities.
As you may be aware, on May 9, 2016, the Ottawa Transit Commission heard deputations from a wide range of individuals and community organizations in support of our city creating a new Low-income Transit Pass (with eligibility based on the Low-income Cut-Off, as defined by Statistics Canada). The Commission, in turn, voted to request funds from the Province ($3.3 million) to help cover the costs of such a pass. Shortly thereafter, a related Motion drafted to support this request was unanimously passed by Ottawa City Council on May 25.
It is our conviction that an affordable and thus equitable transit system is a key service in our city, not just a social service to be provided out of increasingly limited social service funds only to those who rely upon income maintenance programs to survive. The Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) confirms that an equitable, affordable transit system is vital to the economic and social wellbeing of any Canadian city. For example:
- Affordable public transit provides a critical link for people who have limited choices and are transit-dependent—including the young, elderly, people with disabilities and lower-income residents, both those working for a low wage and those reliant on income maintenance programs.
- Research has shown that affordable public transit promotes increased economic development and increases participation in the labour force.
- When everyone has access to affordable transit, it contributes both to Ottawa’s economic success and its social well-being.
We note that the Province of Alberta has reached an agreement with the cities of Calgary and Edmonton to establish Low-income Transit Passes, with 50% of funds coming from the Province and 50% coming from the cities themselves. These initiatives give us hope that an affordable and equitable transit system can also become a reality in our own city.
The City of Ottawa recently studied Low-Income Transit Pass options. We support a low-income transit pass at the 62% discount of a regular adult monthly pass, which is similar to the current seniors' monthly pass and the Community Pass (for individuals on ODSP). The implementation of a Low-Iicome Transit Pass has the potential to help thousands of low-income Ottawa residents. And, it is widely supported by Ottawa residents, 2,500 of whom have signed a petition in support of the low-income transit pass. The campaign for a Low-income Transit Pass has also been endorsed by the 49 community organizations. To view the wording of the petition, and the list of 49 organizations that have endorsed the call for a Low-income Transit Pass, please see http://healthytransportationcoalition.nationbuilder.com/transit_pass_petition.
We believe it is vital that the City of Ottawa do all that is possible to create this pass, and that the Province can play a role by bringing provincial dollars to this important initiative. We would appreciate it if you could please respond with your thoughts on this matter.
Sincerely,
Eugene Williams, Somerset Community Health Centre (SWCHC)
Tong Zhao-Ansari, City for All Women Initiative (CAWI)
Co-Chairs of Civic Engagement Table
Making Voices Count works with city decision makers to create a city for all. It is driven by residents, the Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres, City for All Women Initiative, and community partners. Making Voices Count builds on the momentum of the previous Making Votes Count project.
CC:
The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services
The Honourable Yasir Naqvi, Attorney General of Ontario
Marie-France Lalonde, MPP, Ottawa - Orléans
John Fraser, MPP, Ottawa - South
Madeleine Meilleur, MPP, Ottawa - Vanier
Lisa MacLeod, MPP, Nepean - Carleton