Dedicated Infrastructure Fund a Positive Sign in Ontario's Fall Economic Statement: CivicAction

TORONTO, Nov. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) residents are making their voices heard. The Trillium Trust, a dedicated infrastructure investment fund introduced in Ontario's fall economic statement, represents a good first step towards dedicated funding to make it easier for people and goods to move across town and across the region.

CivicAction is encouraged to see the Province signal infrastructure funding and accountability measures in advance of the measures it says it will introduce in its Spring 2014 budget for transportation investment.

As the Province awaits advice from the Ontario Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel, CivicAction reinforces the need for new, dedicated funds for transportation investment that are sustainable, applied fairly and regionally, allocated in a transparent and accountable manner, and efficiently spent.

These are the conditions called for by thousands of residents and a third (126) of the GTHA's elected officials who have already signed CivicAction's Your32 campaign pledge.

The benefits of investment are immense. Over the month of November, CivicAction and its Regional Transportation Champions Council are highlighting 32 reasons to invest in transportation, and driving home what's at stake if elected officials do not act decisively. Now is the time for GTHA residents to show what's important by visiting www.your32.com to share their reason for supporting investment and to ask elected officials to "get a move on."

Greater Alignment Needed on Economic Opportunities for Youth
The fall economic statement also reaffirms the Government of Ontario's commitment to supporting young people. CivicAction is encouraged by the commitment to the Youth Jobs Strategy, a $295 million investment to create 30,000 new jobs for youth over the next two years.

However, greater alignment across sectors and more sustainable solutions are required - solutions in which private sector employers play a key role. In the GTHA alone, there are nearly 83,000 young people who are not currently in employment, education or training.

CivicAction is seeking to increase private sector involvement in opening up economic opportunities for youth who face multiple barriers to employment. CivicAction is working to build support for high-impact actions and develop an approach that can be replicated in other city-regions.

About CivicAction
For the past 10 years, the Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance (CivicAction) has brought together senior executives and rising leaders from all sectors to tackle some of our region's toughest social, economic and environmental challenges. For more information, visit: www.civicaction.ca, @CivicActionGTA

SOURCE: CivicAction

Media Contacts: 
Julia Lo
CivicAction
[email protected]
416-309-4480 x500

Clancy Zeifman
CivicAction  
[email protected]
416-309-4480 x505