Transcript Mid-Peninsula Transportation Corridor

The Provincial Role in TDM:
Ontario’s Perspective
Canadian TDM Summit 2008
October 20, 2008
Jennifer Edwards
Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Urban Planning Office
Transportation
Planning Branch
The Provincial Role in TDM
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The state of TDM in Ontario
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What is the role of provinces in TDM?
Transportation
Planning Branch
TDM at the Provincial
Level in Ontario
Transportation
Planning Branch
TDM in Ontario - Provincial Policy Linkages
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Key Ontario government objectives that support/complement TDM measures:
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Building strong and vital communities
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Making communities healthy places to live
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Promoting sustainable transportation and land use planning
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Supporting climate change initiatives
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Making transit a first priority
Go Green: Ontario’s Action Plan on Climate Change
Places to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe – Ministry of
Energy and Infrastructure
Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living – Ministry of Health Promotion
Transportation
Planning Branch
Current Ontario Initiatives
Complementary to TDM
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Transit planning and investment
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GO Transit
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Dedicated gas tax
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MoveOntario 2020
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Presto Card fare system
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HOV lane program
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Carpool lot program
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Transit Supportive Land Use Planning Guidelines
Transportation
Planning Branch
Metrolinx and Smart Commute
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Metrolinx (formerly the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority) was created by
the Province of Ontario in 2006 to improve the coordination and integration of all
modes of transportation in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton.
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Metrolinx is currently finalizing its Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
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RTP gives highest priority to TDM, active transportation, transit, and
eliminating trips altogether
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RTP will implement MoveOntario 2020
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In 2008, the province also became the primary funder of Smart Commute, as
the organization was absorbed into Metrolinx.
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Smart Commute was originally established with funding from Transport
Canada’s Urban Transportation Showcase Program and member
municipalities.
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Smart Commute provides centralized coordination for nine TMAs, the
Carpool Zone ridematching system, online Emergency Ride Home
registration, media relations and promotional campaigns.
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The province has contributed an annual operating budget of $650,000 and
support for the nine TMAs, up to $130,000 each.
Transportation
Planning Branch
Ontario TDM Municipal Grant Program
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The TDM Municipal Grant Program as established as a pilot project in 2008.
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The program is designed to assist Ontario municipalities in implementing TDM
projects or planning, and to increase awareness by municipalities of the benefits
of TDM.
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Eligible project categories:
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Promotion and education
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TDM plans
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Projects and tools
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Workshops and conferences
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$250,000 in funding is available in 2008-09; $500,000 is planned for 2009-10
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$50,000 maximum provincial contribution per project
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Recipients for the 2008-09 round of funding will be announced in November.
Transportation
Planning Branch
What Should the
Role of Provinces
Be in TDM?
Transportation
Planning Branch
Provinces Getting More Involved
in TDM… the Time is Right
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Public interest in climate change and sustainability
Gas prices
Reduced government budgets
Stakeholders and the public want us to do more
Ontario provincial initiatives:
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Climate Change Secretariat
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Sustainable TransForum
 Ministry of Transportation’s Sustainable Transportation Policy Office
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Ministry of the Environment’s Community Go Green Fund
Transportation
Planning Branch
What Ontario Stakeholders Are Saying
Major messages from municipalities and NGOs regarding TDM in the province include:
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Stakeholders were very pleased to see that the province is interested in becoming more
involved in TDM.
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Provincial strategy/vision and complementary policies are needed to support the
implementation of TDM initiatives.
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TDM should be built into broader inter-ministerial policy development as there are
complementary benefits to implementing TDM – air quality, greenhouse gas reductions,
active transportation, mixed-use development, tourism and recreation, etc.
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The response to the idea of a potential funding program was generally positive. But there is
a need for consistent, sustainable funding instead of piecemeal grants.
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NGOs are running TDM programs that the municipalities should be responsible for.
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The province should build TDM capacity through networking, workshops, engagement of
senior management and elected officials, and development of municipal TDM plans.
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Leadership from the government is needed in order to back up a paradigm shift in travel
behaviour.
Transportation
Planning Branch
Possible Roles of Provinces in TDM
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Plan and coordinate TDM-supportive infrastructure and operations
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Identify funding needs, gaps, opportunities, and partnerships
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Develop province-wide promotion and education efforts
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Promote linkages and coordination – federal, municipal, NGO
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Conduct capacity-building activities
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Show leadership as an employer
Transportation
Planning Branch
Possible Roles of Provinces in TDM
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Investigate legislative or regulatory barriers to implementing certain TDM
strategies
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Implement tax-related incentives and disincentives
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Require municipal TDM plans
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Develop guidelines and tools for integrating TDM into land use and
transportation planning, subdivision review, etc.
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Require employee trip reduction plans/programs for large employers
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Consider TDM in all provincial engineering projects and environmental studies
Transportation
Planning Branch