The question: Will you support city advocacy at the province for them to match the promised federal government transit operations funding to help with Burlington Transit’s recovery from Covid 19 ridership revenue losses?
The answers, by position:
Mayor:
James Kerr: Absolutely.
Anne Marsden: Response not received in time for our deadline.
Marianne Meed Ward: Yes. In my role as a member of the Ontario Big City Mayor’s Caucus, as well as a member of the Large Urban Caucus of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, we have advocated for additional Safe Restart funding for Covid losses, including transit, as well as advocacy for doubling the gas tax, and making it predictable and based on pre-COVID ridership numbers. When we meet with AMO ministers at the annual conference we similarly make these requests.
Steve Rieck: Advocating for any funding would make sense. Of course. I will also make a case to ask for funding to ask the Province to cover all or part of the costs to offer free transit as a value-added service to all Ontario residents, as a way to encourage more transit use. I believe I can make the case that the GHG emissions and socio-economic value would be greater than the $3 million fare loss. At roughly $15 per person, per year ( estimate), free transit would be a reasonable selling point in cities like ours when aligned with the benefits on society, climate, traffic and community value.
William Tuck: Response not received in time for our deadline.
Council, Ward 1:
Kelvin Galbraith: Yes I will support the advocacy for Federal funding for the transit system as it was hard hit by Covid19.
Robert Radway: Response not received in time for our deadline.
Council, Ward 2:
Keith Demoe: Absolutely!!
Lisa Kearns: Yes, we must receive this Safe Restart funding. If not, we would have to pull from other budgets to balance and potentially delay implementation of the Transit Plan and further transit enhancements.
Tim O’Brien: Yes, many other areas of government have been subsidized because of Covid-19. Our transit system needs the same support.
Council, Ward 3:
Jennifer Hounslow: Response not received in time for our deadline.
Luke McEachern: Yes.
Rory Nisan: Yes.
Council, Ward 4:
Tony Brecknock: Editor’s note: Although we did not receive a written response from Tony Brecknock (possibly due to technical problems) the candidate did request a meeting and verbally expressed support for Burlington Transit and BFAST’s positions.
Olivia Duke: Like many industries and service offerings, transit took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s important to bring transit back on track, and present it as a viable, efficient option for transportation alternatives. Advocating to the provincial government for assistance in recovering from these losses will be of benefit.
Shawna Stolte: Simply, yes. We require all available resources to assist in Burlington Transit’s recovery form Covid 19 ridership revenue losses and I will absolutely continue to support advocacy for promised federal government transit operations funding.
Eden Wood: Response not received in time for our deadline.
Council, Ward 5
Andrew Hall: Response not received in time for our deadline.
Denny Pirzas: Yes, I truly believe that all levels of government are responsible to maintain and grow transit. It’s simple, the more buses on the road the fewer cars on the road. This will help reduce traffic and emissions.
Guy D’Alesio: Collaboration and partnership with all levels of government is essential for effective administration, development and maintenance of all modes of transportation. This is especially applicable to increasing ridership of accessible, reliable, and convenient public transportation. All levels of government should be lobbied for support and partnership.
Paul Sharman: Response not received in time for our deadline.
Council, Ward 6
Angelo Bentivegna: Absolutely
Rick Greenspoon: I am unable to complete your survey in the time you have allotted. Although as a statement, I do support Burlington for Accessible Sustainable Transit, I do not have enough information and background data to answer all of your questions.
Renato Velocci: Response not received in time for our deadline.