City of Mississauga's Mayor Hazel McCallion told attendees at the Mississauga Transportation Forum that congestion is a serious health issue and its impacts are not fully understood. The forum, held this week, included keynote speakers who discussed potential funding options and tools.

"The time has come to move on this serious issue that impacts our economy, health and quality of life," said Mayor McCallion. "We have the projects, the plans and concerns from businesses and residents. We must as a society expect to pay for transportation at all levels of government and through the private sector. We must do it now to resolve this crisis that does not recognize municipal or regional boundaries."

Key stakeholders representing community groups, the business community and officials from various levels of government participated in the "Mississauga Transportation Forum – The Case for Investment."

Forum speakers:

     •  Bruce McCuaig, president and chief executive officer, Metrolinx presented information
        on investment principles including the need to deliver short, medium and long term benefits.
     •  Martin Powell, commissioner, Mississauga Transportation and Works provided information on
        transportation projects and improvements needed in Mississauga.
     •  John Howe, vice president investment strategy and project evaluation, Metrolinx provided
         information on possible investment strategies and impacts.
     •  Ron J. Aitken, vice president transit and rail systems, SNC-Lavalin provided information on
        public private partnerships and the key element of customer experience.

Participants took part in breakout sessions and discussed what is needed to improve transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) and what tools or funding solutions need to be considered. Attendees discussed the importance of creating a national transportation strategy and of receiving buy-in from all sectors of government to improve the infrastructure system across the GTHA. Mayor McCallion added that the challenge will be in making the public aware of the serious transportation issues and the impact it is having on the health of people.

"The transportation forum provided information to stakeholders on potential alternative funding opportunities that will allow the City to continue delivering transportation improvements," said Martin Powell, commissioner Transportation and Works Department. "Staff will consider the information collected from the forum in determining how to continue the dialogue."

The event introduction by Ward 6 Councillor Ron Starr explained that the forum was the outcome of a recommendation at Council last year to organize a workshop based on the staff report, “Moving Mississauga: From Vision to Action – Mississauga’s Draft Interim Transportation Strategy.”

Presentation material is available on the City's Transportation Forum website at
www.mississauga.ca/transportationforum


As Canada's sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 738,000 residents and 55,000 businesses, including 63 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. A diverse, progressive and award-winning municipality located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area, Mississauga is "Leading Today for Tomorrow" by focussing on delivering services, implementing its Strategic Plan, delivering value for money and maintaining infrastructure.

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