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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Local New Democrats need to put their constituents first on public transit issue
posted by BOFarrell at 16h50
New Democratic MPs from the West Island and off-island this week issued a statement in support of the Quebec government’s request that the federal government chip in funds to make the Train de l’Ouest a reality.
And as Vaudreuil-Soulanges MP Jamie Nichols said: “We must quickly put in place a national strategy for public transit development.”
But their suggestion – increasing the amount of the federal gas tax that is transferred to the provinces – is not the most efficient means to get trains rolling in the West Island.
In fact, it is probably the most roundabout way of improving public transit at the west end of the island.
Let me explain.
As it stands now, about half of the federal gas tax, which stands at about 10 cents a litre, is funneled back to the provinces. According to the NDP plan, this should be changed. The party wants to increase the portion that would go to the provinces to six cents per litre.
According to Nichols, this would mean about $500 million more a year would flow from federal to provincial coffers. This money would be earmarked for public transit infrastructure.
That’s a lot of money – every year. This is not something the federal government will do on a whim.
And the money would go to every province. Yet, let’s face it, not every province’s need for public transit infrastructure is the same.
Wouldn’t it be more expedient at this point – when the need for the Train de l’Ouest is immediate – to have our local federal representatives to push for a one-time lump sum from the national government to get the trains running here before major highway reconstruction projects create traffic chaos?
Let’s solve this immediate problem now. Then, when we have time for the House of Commons to debate the merits of a national transit infrastructure program and how it should be funded, tackle that problem.
West Islanders and off-islanders have waited long enough. We need our representatives to put our needs first. They can push for their national agenda later. And their constituents will support their efforts – for however long it takes.
Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions.
Brenda O’Farrell
And MP Nicholls
And MP Nicholls responded: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/working+train+funding/6226647/story.html
[...] "I have submitted a notice of motion for the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to immediately address this need. My motion states that in order to ensure the economic competitiveness of the city of Montreal, we are asking the government of Canada to immediately commit to funding the Train de l'Ouest, as requested by the government of Quebec, and that the committee report this motion back to the House."
Commuter trains are the
Commuter trains are the province's responsibility. The federal government has no expertise in commuter trains and should not be telling any province how to run their train system.
If the federal government told the provinces which train lines to build, which hospitals to renovate or which streets to repave, it would lead to massive duplication, waste and pork barrel politics. Think of the 600-km highway from Brian Mulroney's hometown of Baie-Comeau to a tiny mining village in Labrador (which the Quebec government is now spending half a billion dollars to fix even though almost no one uses it).
Rail transportation to the West Island
Provincial rail transportaion s a provincial jurisdiction.
As as such the province should pay pay it.
If they are looking for funds to finance it, I have an idea.
Scrap l'Office de la Langue.
There is more mony there than youu need to finance the line.
NDP has it right.
I appreciate your earnest call for a quick solution to this West Island transit issue, but I think its a bit misguided to say that the NDP should put aside its call for a national transit strategy to fund this one project. Giving cities and provinces an equitable and stable transit funding source would ensure money goes where it is needed the most across the whole country. What you are suggesting, making an exception for West Island, opens the door for politicians to just hand out money wherever they want, in their own ridings and for pet projects. That's how it has always been done, and it wouldn't be a one-time deal. It leaves everyone else with so much uncertainty and tomorrow someone else will demand the same deal. The NDP has it right to call for a predictable source of funding now that does not pit one region against another and works toward a long-term transit strategy across the country. I think we will all be better served if we put good policy before politics.
Not asking for an exception
Just to clarify, I am not advocating for an exception. I am pushing for a quick solution to a major problem that is affecting one of the largest metropolitan centres of the country.
As for the NDP's plan, it's sound. But, as you say, it's a long-term strategy.
The NDP, especially the local MPs, should push for both. They are not mutually exclusive.
Brenda O'Farrell,
West Island Senior Editor
The Gazette