Queen’s Park Serves Up Gas Tax Cash For Public Transit

Several Simcoe County municipalities reaping the benefits

The Ford Government has divvied up the proceeds from Ontario’s Gas Tax program between 107 municipalities, including Barrie, Orillia and Simcoe County.

“We are investing in public transit to make it a more convenient travel option and to attract more riders,” said Yurek. “More public transit will cut through gridlock and get people moving.”
–  Jeff Yurek, Minister of Transportation

This year, the province is giving $364 million in gas tax funding to 107 municipalities that provide public transit service to 144 communities across Ontario. These communities represent over 92 percent of Ontario’s total population.

Municipalities receiving gas tax funding must use these funds towards their public transit capital and/or operating expenditures, at their own discretion, including upgrading transit infrastructure, increasing accessibility, purchasing transit vehicles, adding more routes and extending hours of service.

Funding for Ontario’s gas tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province. The program provides municipalities with two cents per litre of provincial gas tax revenues.

Here’s the breakdown for municipalities in and around Simcoe County:

  • Barrie (Essa)  $ 2,284,068
  • Bracebridge  $ 109,438
  • Bradford West Gwillimbury  $ 278,939
  • Clearview  $ 133,693
  • Collingwood (The Blue Mountains)  $ 310,472
  • Huntsville  $ 124,632
  • Innisfil  $ 318,827
  • Meaford  $ 73,439
  • Midland  $ 182,611
  • Orillia  $ 548,399
  • Parry Sound  $ 56,314
  • Penetanguishene  $ 84,174
  • Simcoe County  $ 898,331
  • Wasaga Beach  $ 199,340

The share that each municipality receives under Ontario’s gas tax program is based on a formula of 70 percent ridership and 30 percent population. These funds serve both the needs of large and small municipal transit systems.

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