Markham Commuters Win

Premier Kathleen Wynne and Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca announced today that Toronto's road toll proposal will not be approved until expanded transit options are in place. This decision is directly in response to opposition from municipalities about the unfair burden Toronto tolls would place on 905 commuters, without addressing the need for viable transit alternatives. Markham's Mayor Frank Scarpitti was among the first 905 Mayors to publicly raise concerns about the impact that these road tolls would have on Markham commuters.

"The proposed road tolls would have placed a financial burden on a Markham commuter equal to the annual taxes they pay to the City of Markham," said Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

Instead of approving the tolls in Toronto, the Provincial government will give municipalities with transit systems a greater share of revenue from the provincial gasoline tax. In York Region, the doubling of the gas tax funds will support transit in York Region.

Forty percent of the commuters using these roads reside outside of Toronto and are the same people helping to support millions of tax dollars annually for Toronto. Today's announcement reflects a fairer system of collecting and disbursing revenues for transit priorities.

"Today's announcement is a great day for transit funding for all municipalities in the GTHA. We all win," said Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

For more information:

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti: mayorscarpitti@markham.ca or 905.475.4872

Media inquiries / interview requests: Corporate Communications, media@markham.ca or 905.477.7000 ext. 7548