Submission to Secretariat of the Canada Transportation Review

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

In June, 2014, Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt announced a review of the Canada Transportation Act.  The Honourable David Emerson, supported by five eminent Canadians, will report back to the Minister with recommendations by the end of 2015. Initial submissions from stakeholders to the review panel were to be submitted by December 30, 2014.

Transport Action Ontario, working in concert with the other affiliates in the Transport Action family, has made a submission to the review panel.  The central focus was railway-based transportation, where we have extensive collective knowledge and professional experience.

Our submission can be viewed here:  TAO-CTAReview2014-12-30

Response to Worksheet on Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA)

By Transport Action Ontario | Aviation , Latest News

On December 9, 2014, the first public meeting for the Environmental Assessment (EA)  for  Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA) was held.  This is one of a series of concurrent studies underway by the proponent (Toronto Port Authority) to amend the Tripartite Agreement to allow for an extension of the runway and the introduction of new-technology jets.

Transport Action Ontario has been very active on this file, and has met with the EA team twice to provide input into the scope of the study.  The public meeting posed four questions pertaining to the scope of the EA.  In response, we provided written answers to these questions, and sent these to the EA team.

Our response can be viewed here: TAO-BBTCAWorksheet2014-12

Letter to Premier Wynne and Minister Del Duca on GTHA Transit

By Transport Action Ontario | Press Releases and Open Letters , Urban Transit

Move the GTHA members met with Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca on October 14.   We discussed several items relating to transportation funding,  project prioritization, potential new legislation and securing federal involvement.

Subsequently, we sent a follow up letter summarizing the discussion and identifying next steps.  That letter can be viewed here:  MTGHTA-Wynneletter2014-12-03

Rail Safety in Canada

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

Transport Action Ontario representatives participated as expert panelists in a Community Forum on Rail Safety on November 28, 2014, organized by three Toronto MPs  – Carolyn Bennett, Chrystia Freeland and Adam Vaughan – whose ridings border the CP main line in central Toronto.    The Forum was very stimulating, with many good questions and comments.

Following the Forum, we felt it would be helpful to summarize the position of Transport Action Ontario, as expressed at the meeting.

The summary  letter can be viewed here:  TAO-railsafety-BennettFreelandVaughan

Improving Rail Mobility and Transportation between Ontario and Quebec – Joint Letter

By Transport Action Ontario | Intercity Rail and Bus

A joint letter from Transport Action Ontario and Transport 2000 Quebec, our sister organization, was sent to the Premiers of Ontario and Quebec on November 12, 2014.  It noted the new spirit of cooperation between Ontario and Quebec,  discussed the benefits of rail between our two provinces, and urged both provinces to initiate cooperative work to improve inter-city and inter-provincial railways in the Windsor-Quebec corridor, in conjunction with the federal government.

The letter can be viewed here:  TAO-T2Q Joint Letter