However, there is a very important issue that still needs to be addressed. A big shiny new transit system is great, but how valuable is it if low and moderate-income people cannot afford to get past the turnstiles?

Torontonians pay transit fares that are among the highest in North America. There is no fare reduction for people on low income like they have in Calgary, Edmonton or Saskatoon. Durham Region Transit has a special fare for people who are on ODSP. Many American cities provide a special fare for people on low income.

It is particularly disturbing that seniors in Toronto carry a significantly higher burden of transit costs than in other cities. A survey of 10 Canadian cities shows that, on average, seniors pay about 50% of the regular adult monthly pass. The highest was in Halifax at 70% and in some places seniors can purchase passes for as low as 25%. In Toronto, seniors pay 84% of the regular monthly pass. Reducing the seniors’ burden to the equivalent of 50% would mean a savings to seniors in Toronto of $36.75 dollars per month or $441.00 per year. This would be a substantial savings, particularly for those seniors on low income.

A soon to be released Wellesley Institute research report from our partners at at the Alternative Planning Group highlights this issue.  The report says, in part:

“The absence of affordable public transportation cuts the most needy and vulnerable seniors from the activities and services that are designed to help them. They have difficulty making trips to see their doctors, picking up grocery, going to community services, visiting friends, or going to places of worship”

Or as one of the participants in the study put it:

“Seniors, they need to visit each other because they cannot live lonely… Seniors, they cannot pay everyday the fares for the bus and street car so they have a big difficulty to meet each other, to go to friends, to go to families to visit because they have no money”

The importance of accessible public transportation in combating social isolation and providing people opportunities to access the services they need is crucial to a healthy city.  Many cities are now grappling with the issue of how to make sure that all their residents have access to public transportation regardless of income.

The city and province are to be congratulated on allocating the resources to bring transit infrastructure into the 21st century.  Now they to tackle the problem of making sure that everybody can get on board.

“We know that good health is impossible without healthy food. We also know that health status deteriorates as incomes fall. This initiative to put healthy foods within reach of our neediest citizens should therefore be one of our highest priorities, and one that the provincial government should support”, Dr. Charles Gardner President of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) said.

alPHa’s 36 member public health units have endorsed two separate resolutions since 2001 urging the Ontario Government to set social assistance rates according to the true costs of basic needs. The Put Food in the Budget campaign calls for the addition of a $100.00 Healthy Food Supplement to the Basic Needs Allowance as a down-payment on closing the gap between social assistance incomes and the cost of healthy eating. The campaign was launched on February 19 in Toronto by Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown, with representatives from the Stop Community Food Centre and the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction.

Every public health unit in Ontario conducts an annual standardized Cost of a Nutritious Food Basket (NFB) study that measures the basic cost of healthy eating in the areas that they serve. When these costs are added to average rents for the same area, it becomes clear that people on social assistance throughout the province are being forced to choose between paying rent and buying food. They are sending their children to school without breakfast or lunch and are relying on food banks for survival. Unless strategies are implemented to ensure that low-income Ontarians can afford to make healthy food choices, dietary interventions for the prevention and management of diseases and promotion of overall health will remain out of reach for those who are most at risk. Putting food in the budget will be a welcome first step in changing that.

“At this time of economic difficulty, creating a $100 Healthy Food Supplement for all adults on social assistance would allow the government to make progress on its stated commitment to reduce poverty by 25 per cent over the next 5 years, while also serving as an economic stimulus,” Dr. Gardner said. “It would demonstrate commitment by the Ontario government to help the most vulnerable even in tough economic times. It also reflects positively on the government’s long-term vision for reduced health care treatment costs by investing wisely today in preventing poor health in those that are most at risk.”

The attached file contains more information from alPHa about the campaign.  As well you can see lots of good information, comments, and  videos on the Put Food in the Budget page of the Poverty Watch website.  And visit The Stop Community Food Centre and 25 in 5 Poverty Reduction Network

They cite a KPMG report that says, among other things:

On average, companies say that tax makes up only one-fifth of their  “location-sensitive” costs

The Globe editorial points out the need for government investment, supported by a strong tax base, in things like transportation infrastructure and health care.  They also mention quality of life indicators like crime rates and public schools.

There are other things that need to be added to this list of features help business to attract and retain employees. These include affordable housing, childcare, and the myriad of services that result in healthy, livable neighbourhoods.  These also require substantial government spending and are investments in strong and prosperous communities.