As Canadians prepare to head to the polls, we’re being asked to choose the kind of country we want to build. For many, that vision includes access to good jobs, affordable housing, and the freedom to move easily through our cities. There’s one investment that touches all these goals – and that’s public transit.

Stable and predictable funding through the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) is an important piece of Canada’s economic, environmental, and social future. Set to provide $3 billion annually for transit infrastructure starting in 2026, this program is more than a line item – it’s a lifeline for communities across the country.

But as election promises fly, we must remember that public transit cannot be an afterthought. It is an economic engine, a climate strategy, and a housing enabler all rolled into one. And it’s facing real-world pressures that demand more than lip service.

Take congestion: in the Greater Toronto Area alone, it costs the economy an estimated $44.7 billion every year, according to the Toronto Region Board of Trade. That’s productivity lost, goods delayed, and families missing out on time together. Public transit is one of the few scalable solutions to congestion, reducing the number of cars on the road and unlocking economic growth.

It’s also a key to solving Canada’s housing crunch. High-density, transit-oriented communities offer a path toward more affordable living. When homes are built near reliable transit, people have greater access to jobs, schools, and services – without needing to own multiple vehicles or endure long commutes. Supporting transit isn’t just good policy – it’s good planning.

And when it comes to climate, public transit is one of the most practical, immediate ways to reduce emissions. We don’t need to introduce new taxes or wait for future technologies. Simply making it easier for people to leave the car at home – by investing in frequent, and reliable service – gets us closer to our emissions goals today.

But these benefits require consistent, predictable funding and the political will to follow through. The CPTF was designed to provide that stability. It’s the result of collaboration between governments and transit systems across the country. Now, we need a renewed commitment to its success.

Unfortunately, challenges in the broader transit ecosystem threaten to slow this progress. Tariffs and trade barriers in the North American market can potentially disrupt the supply of buses and transit vehicles, leading to delays and rising costs. Transit systems are struggling to procure the vehicles they need to serve growing communities. It’s a reminder that even the best policy needs to be backed by a reliable supply chain.

Still, the solution is not to pause investment – it’s to double down. Federal leadership must extend beyond funding to include smart coordination with industry, provinces, and municipalities. That means supporting Canadian manufacturing, addressing procurement bottlenecks.

We also need to think bigger. Large-scale, made-in-Canada transit infrastructure projects offer a blueprint for economic stimulus that works – supporting Canadian workers and industries now while building a more connected and productive society for decades to come. In a time of global trade uncertainty, investing in our own communities, our own workforce, and our own mobility networks is not just wise – it’s nation-building. These projects don’t just move people; they move the country forward.

The CPTF offers a rare opportunity: a well-designed program with the power to tackle some of our country’s most pressing challenges. Studies show that transit investments generate up to $4 in economic activity for every dollar spent. They create jobs in construction, operations, vehicle manufacturing and more.

This election is a moment of decision. Will we move forward with a long-term plan or fall back into short-term thinking that puts Canada’s productivity and quality of life at risk?

Public transit is ready to deliver. With the right support, it can help solve the problems Canadians care about most: affordability, mobility, and economic growth.

Let’s make sure this campaign – and the government that follows – gives transit the priority it deserves.

Marco D’Angelo
President and CEO
Canadian Urban Transit Association