Canada Day Travel Spotlight 

At the CCBF we’re big fans of planes, trains, and… bikes?

Canada is a big country, and whether Canada Day celebration plans are in a different city or down the street, some kind of travel is likely involved.

The CCBF supports investments in infrastructure that help Ontarians get where they need to go, including airports, public transit, trains, roads, bike lanes, multi-use trails and more. 

Check out some highlights below from three CCBF categories related to travel, and if you haven’t already, read the full Ten-Year CCBF Outcomes Report here.
 
Regional and Local Airports

Ontario is home to more than 200 airports, 100 seaplane bases, and 80 heliports, which helped transport more than 450 million passengers and 5.4 million tonnes of cargo between 2014 and 2023.

Investment in these essential points of trade and tourism is critical for Ontario’s economy to grow, which is why many municipalities use the CCBF to resurface runways, construct or rehabilitate terminals, and restore helipads. 

Recent projects include a New Easy-Access Fuel System in Hearst and Taxiway Improvements at Chris Hadfield Airport in Sarnia.

Public Transit

92% of Ontarians are served by one of 106 municipal public transit agencies, and 77% of Ontarians live within a short walk to a transit stop. 

After the dip in ridership during Covid, investments in public transit are essential for economic prosperity as they drive traffic to local businesses, efficiently connect residents to employment centres, and provide thousands of jobs. 

Municipal investments between 2014 and 2023 helped municipalities purchase and/or refurbish 2,250 vehicles, expand or upgrade 4,400 transit stops, and construct more than 20 kilometres of light rail tracks.

Recent projects include the Purchase of New Buses in Simcoe County and Addition of Underground Cell Service for Ottawa Commuters.

Active Transportation

Whether it’s for a leisurely stroll or a need to get from one place to another, thousands of kilometres of municipal paths, trails, and sidewalks help Ontarians get outside and be active. 

Municipal governments have invested in 67 footbridges, 481 kilometres of bicycle paths, and 447 kilometres of trails and sidewalks between 2014 to 2023 to improve safety, increase access to local amenities, and provide places for exercising and appreciating nature.

Recent projects include Trail Reconstruction in Thunder Bay and the Expansion and Connection of the Trail Network in Chatham-Kent.