Ontario Provides More Money for Public Transit in Kenora–Rainy River

Province tops up gas tax funding to make up for lower gas sales

KENORA – The Ontario government is providing more money to support the expansion and improvement of public transit services in Kenora–Rainy River. The funding is part of the province’s gas tax program which will allocate more than $379.5 million to help 107 municipalities operate and improve local transit.

The funding for Kenora–Rainy River and area is as follows:

  • Dryden – $66,769
  • Fort Frances – $72,403
  • Kenora – $145,510
  • Machin – $9,183
  • Sioux Lookout – $50,091

“We recognize that improving, expanding and investing in transit across the North results in stronger, more vibrant communities that everyone can participate in,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora–Rainy River. “Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we are ensuring that municipalities have what they need in order to build out reliable, safe and convenient transit options that suit the unique needs of Northern communities.”

Funding for the gas tax program is determined by the number of litres of gasoline sold in the province during the previous year. Municipalities that support public transit services in their community receive two cents per litre of provincial gas tax revenue collected.

To make up for reduced gas sales due to ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s gas tax program includes one-time additional funding of $80 million to help ensure municipalities can continue to support their transit systems.

“Public transit is a key driver of economic growth in Ontario, helping people get to where they need to go, whether it is to work, school, or run errands,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “As more people return to public transit, our government is providing municipalities with the funding they need to accommodate growing ridership, while ensuring they can continue to deliver safe and reliable transit service for people in their communities.”

Gas tax funding can be used to extend service hours, buy transit vehicles, add routes, improve accessibility or upgrade local infrastructure.

Quick Facts

  • The 2022-23 gas tax program will support public transit in 144 communities in 107 municipalities across the province, representing more than 92 per cent of all Ontarians.
  • The provincial and federal governments are providing up to $2.65 billion through the Safe Restart Agreement to support municipal transit systems in response to COVID-19.
  • Ontario is developing regional plans that will help build a better transportation system across the province. The province has released four draft regional transportation plans for Northern Ontario, Southwestern Ontario, the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Eastern Ontario.