ISSUES AND ACTIONS

October 3, 2023 began a new day and a new era in the Province of Manitoba and it could be a new way for Winnipeg Transit and indeed the whole province.

A look at the City of Winnipeg 2022 Budget Update and specifically at the 2020 – 2023 Multi Year Transit report (from City of Winnipeg website) you can note:

Operating budget  $212.3 million

Passenger revenue 32% or $67.9 million.

Changing to a “free ride” policy would require say $68 million per year to be replaced by Government taxation of some sort (at all levels). How can this be done?

If we are serious about tackling climate change, there should be no qualms about contributions by the City (property taxes), Provincial and Federal governments (various ways to tax). The latter could simply re-direct the so called carbon tax rebates towards financing this free ride program.

Done properly this new approach would help fill the buses and greatly reduce the use of automobiles. This in turn would reduce emissions, reduce traffic, and reduce wear and tear on our roadways. Win-win-win.

It is time to think outside the box. Time for governments to stop being hypocrites when they speak of climate change solutions and when they speak of being fiscally responsible. Status quo is definitely not fiscally responsible. Time to act responsibly is now. We can help governments become more responsible by being vocal with our political representatives at all levels. Let us each do our part.