Metrolinx Investment Strategy - a Historic Day for GTHA

Time for governments to consider advice, then act, says CivicAction

TORONTO, May 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Today's delivery of the Metrolinx investment strategy is a historic milestone in building the regional transportation network the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) needs to prosper and thrive, says CivicAction. Governments must now assess this advice and act.

"CivicAction will continue to bring people together and help governments at all levels to make a decision that our region's residents and businesses can support," said John Tory, CivicAction's Chair. "It's been decades in the waiting, and the time has come for governments to invest in a dramatically better way to move people and goods across the Toronto region. Let's make our dream of a connected regional transportation network a reality."

Responsible investment in transportation service and infrastructure is critical to strengthening the growing city-region. With it, the GTHA can better compete globally for investment, talent, and high-value jobs, and give residents better access to training and jobs while improving our health and environment.

From Waterdown to Brampton, from Toronto to Markham to Pickering, the feedback that CivicAction has received from GTHA residents through its Your32 "Pledge to Get a Move On" campaign is clear: they are impatient to see progress and ready to see governments act. More than 1,600 residents and 55 elected officials from 16 municipalities across the GTHA - including 10 Mayors - have joined together to date to pledge support for new funding provided those funds are dedicated, efficient, transparent & accountable, regional, fair and sustainable.

"As we heard from 300 community leaders at the CivicAction Forum, governments need to get on with it, make the most of it, and take better care of our money while they're at it," said CivicAction CEO Mitzie Hunter. "They need to consider people's ability to pay, tell us how our money is spent and what we're getting for it, and how they'll make the most of this historic investment through jobs for local communities and benefits for neighbourhoods where projects are built."

Tell us what you'd do for 32: Residents have a key role to play as governments consider the advice they've received from the organization charged with the responsibility of advising how to pay for improved transportation service and infrastructure. They can show their elected officials at all levels that they are behind new investment and ready to play a role in funding it. People can go to your32.com to pledge support for better transportation and invite their elected officials to do the same.

About CivicAction's Your32 campaign
CivicAction and its 55+ team of civic Champions and Regional Co-Captains have engaged more than one million residents in their campaign to build support for a better regional transportation system and the need for new sustainable ways to pay for it. For more information, visit www.your32.com.

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. CivicAction sets a non-partisan agenda, builds strategic partnerships with organizations, and launches campaigns, programs and organizations that transform our region. For more information, visit: www.civicaction.ca, @CivicActionGTA

SOURCE: CivicAction