Ontario Investing $276,169 in Leeds-Grenville Transit

Provincial gas tax funding will help operate and expand local public transit services

Brockville/North Grenville — The Ontario government is supporting transit in Brockville and North Grenville with a $276,169 investment from the 2023-24 Gas Tax program. The funding can be used to expand service hours, increase routes, purchase new vehicles, and improve accessibility to increase transit ridership.

“This investment is fantastic news for transit riders in Brockville and North Grenville said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we will continue to invest in local transit to drive economic growth, make travel more convenient and connect people to the things that matter most to them.”

The Ontario government is investing almost $380 million across the province to help 102 municipalities improve local transit through the Gas Tax program. This year’s Gas Tax program includes a one-time additional $3 million to ensure municipalities can continue to support and grow their transit systems.

“Continued Gas tax funding from the province provides our municipality with a vital lifeline for our municipal transit service,” said Brockville Mayor Matt Wren. “It enables us to support our residents by enhancing connectivity, safety, and sustainability for our community. This reliable source of funding aids the City of Brockville in offering an affordable and dependable transportation system which ultimately contributes to the overall well-being and prosperity of our residents and visitors.”

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Government of Ontario for the Provincial Gas Tax funding,” said North Grenville Mayor, Nancy Peckford. “This funding has enabled the launch of North Grenville’s newly established on-demand transit system, NGTransit, which serves all corners of our Municipality. With this partnership, North Grenville is able to build a more accessible, sustainable and connected community for everyone, including its most vulnerable residents. We look forward to increased support in the years ahead as NG Transit grows.”

The breakdown of funding for Leeds-Grenville is as follows:

• Brockville – $216,098
• North Grenville – $60,071

“No matter where you live, Ontarians deserve access to fast, reliable and affordable public transit,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Our government is helping municipalities improve their transit systems now and for decades to come.”

QUICK FACTS

• The 2023-24 Gas Tax program will help fund public transit in 102 municipalities serving 140 communities across the province, representing 94 percent of all Ontarians.
• Funding for the Gas Tax program is set by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous fiscal year.
• For every litre of provincial gas tax revenue collected in the previous fiscal year, two cents are allocated to the Gas Tax program.
• Municipal Gas Tax funding allocations are calculated based on total transit ridership (70 percent of funding) and population (30 percent of funding), both of which fluctuate from year to year.
• Funding allocations are capped at a maximum of 75 percent of a municipality’s transit spending.
• Municipalities may use the funding for transit operating and/or capital expenditures.