At this past week’s City Council meeting, much of the discussion centered on the City of Ottawa’s ongoing struggle to receive its fair share of payments in lieu of taxes (PILTs) from the federal government. The city’s current reliance on property taxes is insufficient to cover the full range of services and programs we provide—including public transit.
Since the pandemic, the financial burden of maintaining our transit system has been weighing heavily on the city’s budget. This problem is compounded by service issues that make it difficult for residents to rely on public transit. Four years ago, I highlighted the need for federal funding to support transit operations, arguing that the burden should not be placed solely on ridership. The new Canada Public Transit Fund, set to provide up to $3 billion annually starting in 2026-2027, is a positive step toward addressing local public transit needs. However, federal funding alone is not enough to solve Ottawa’s transit challenges.
I can understand why residents have grown frustrated and even cynical—especially when fare hikes are introduced, and services remain unreliable. However, cutting transit is not an option. We need a strong and reliable service now and going forward as our city grows. Reducing service or increasing fares will only drive ridership down further.
Transit is an essential service that requires support from all levels of government.
Unlike other major cities in Canada, where provincial governments play a significant role in funding public transit operations, Ottawa has been left to rely heavily on property taxes to make up the shortfall. This is an unsustainable model for funding a service that is so vital to our city’s residents and its economic health.
While we must look at our own spending and ensure this reflects the priorities outlined in the Official Plan and prioritizing the shift towards sustainable transportation as a key part in building a more livable and resilient city. This will require rebuilding public trust in our transit system and that means ensuring buses are on time and can reliably get people where they need to go. With commuter ridership down, we need to focus on growing transit use across all demographics. But without stable operational funding from the provincial government, we are left in a position where the city’s ability to provide reliable service is hampered.
For years, I’ve advocated for a broader approach to transit that goes beyond serving commuters. That’s why I fought to maintain Route 11 to Bayshore—not for commuters, but for people who rely on it for shopping, appointments, and daily activities, especially older adults.
The city needs a reliable source of revenue to fund transit, which many cities receive from their provincial governments. Ottawa should not have to place the burden of funding public transit on property taxes when the Ontario government has a responsibility to contribute. Without this crucial operational support, it is impossible to meet the growing needs of our transit system and maintain reliable service.
As Ottawa works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote alternatives to cars, public transit is key. But to build a transit system that works for everyone, we need consistent support from both the federal and provincial governments. I voted for Fair Taxes for All to ensure we work towards having reliable transit with the other many services we offer as a city.
