The Canadian government is investing $700 million to help the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) transport people throughout Canada’s largest city in a more environmentally-friendly manner.
The investment announced by Infrastructure Canada on Wednesday will allow the TTC to buy 340 carbon-neutral buses and 248 chargers.
The funds will also be put toward upgrading infrastructure at eight bus garages, procurement of other necessary equipment and installation of the chargers.
The City of Toronto is contributing $351 million to this initiative and the Canadian government is providing the other $349 million through the Zero Emission Transit Fund. Infrastructure Canada says the transport sector accounts for 25 per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are proud to be paving the way for transit electrification across North America as we work towards our goal of being completely zero-emissions by 2040,” said TTC Chair Jon Burnside.
“We are also pleased to be bringing new, clean, quiet vehicles to customers and employees across the City of Toronto,” he added.
Read more: Emissions Reduction Alberta launches $50M funding competition for energy efficiency projects
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The TTC is aiming to be 100 per cent electric by 2040 and Canada wants to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
“Today’s investment in electric buses delivers new, more comfortable options for Torontonians, and will help the city reduce both its emissions and fuel costs,” said Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
Decarbonization in Canada’s transport sector and abroad is one of the government’s top objectives. In February, government officials, stakeholders and others gathered at the Edmonton International Airport to kick off a two-year pilot project for commercial hydrogen-powered vehicles led by the Alberta Motor Transport Association.
Cities, including Toronto, have had no greater partner than our federal government. That’s why @YaaraSaks and I today announced a joint federal-municipal investment of $700 million to help the #TTC buy 340 new electric busses! pic.twitter.com/yjDbgG7jYv
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) April 24, 2023
On Monday, the Canadian government and BC Hydro announced a joint investment of $32.7 million that will be put toward three decarbonization projects intended to help mines and steam plants reduce their emissions while transferring over to cleaner energy sources.
Earlier this month, the government organization Emissions Reduction Alberta launched a $50 million funding competition for groups and organizations that want to engage with energy efficiency projects in the prairie province.
The government unveiled a $3.8 billion Critical Minerals Strategy as part of its plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 in December last year and has invested millions in nuclear programs to help achieve that goal as well.
rowan@mugglehead.com
