As Canada works to rebuild momentum in a slowing economy, there is no better investment in national productivity, affordability, and connectivity than public transit. The Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) is set to deliver $3 billion annually in stable transit infrastructure funding and represents the next great chapter in Canada’s nation-building story. Now it is up to the Carney government to make good on its commitments and ensure the CPTF is included in the upcoming federal budget, ready to launch on April 1, 2026. Doing so will deliver immediate results for communities, create jobs, and give transit systems across the country the tools they need to plan, build, and grow.

 

A Nation-Building Investment

Just as railways and highways once defined Canada’s growth, public transit is the infrastructure of this generation. It connects people to jobs, housing, and essential services. It underpins local economies, supports manufacturing, and makes the goal of building affordable housing possible. Any delay in the CPTF would result in deteriorating transit infrastructure, increased commute times, and more congestion, which already costs more than $44 billion each year in the Greater Toronto Area alone. The CPTF is designed to ensure transit systems grow alongside our cities rather than fall behind them.

 

A Stronger Baseline for a Growing Nation

The Baseline stream of the fund is designed to quickly deliver infrastructure funding nationwide, while the Metro-Region Agreements stream requires more complex planning and governance that will significantly slow deployment in 2026. Boosting the Baseline stream gets capital to transit agencies of all sizes on day one. It supports projects in every region and keeps Canada moving, from fleet renewal in Halifax to state-of-good-repair work in Edmonton. To meet the urgent need for infrastructure deployment and economic stimulus, the CPTF’s Baseline funding stream must be doubled from $500 million to $1 billion annually. This increase will accelerate shovel-ready projects, close coverage gaps, and scale service for today’s commuters and tomorrow’s growth.

 

An Economic Multiplier in Tough Times

Transit investment is not just good policy – it is smart economics. Every dollar invested in public transit creates $2.40 in total economic activity and generates an additional dollar in GDP through wages, taxes, and business spending. Each $1 million invested supports 15 jobs in construction, manufacturing, and technology development. Stable CPTF funding provides that certainty, ensuring that Canadian bus and rail manufacturers can plan ahead, scale innovation, and compete globally.

 

Tackling Affordability, Housing, and Climate Together

Transit makes housing more affordable by linking new supply to reliable mobility. The CPTF will accelerate the creation of transit-oriented communities that expand housing options where demand is highest. Canadians should not have to choose between affordability and access. With smart investments in transit, they can have both. Public transit is also one of Canada’s most effective and equitable climate solutions. It cuts emissions, reduces household costs, and supports domestic innovation in clean vehicle manufacturing. Every new bus, train, or electrified route is a tangible step toward a low-carbon economy.

 

A Moment for Leadership

This is the moment for the Carney government to turn vision into action and move from promises to progress. Canadians expect investments that build prosperity, create jobs, and make life more affordable. The CPTF delivers all three and must be deployed on April 1, 2026. By including it in the November 4 federal budget and doubling the Baseline stream, the government can demonstrate that nation-building remains central to Canada’s economic vision. This is not a partisan program – it is a productivity strategy.

 

Transit moves people and the economy forward. It strengthens communities, reduces congestion, and opens doors to opportunity. It is time to fund, double, and launch the Canada Public Transit Fund to secure the next generation of Canadian growth. The time for the federal government to act is now.

 

Marco D’Angelo, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA).