Provincial gas tax funding will help support and improve local public transit initiatives
NEWS June 5, 2026
DURHAM REGION — As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the province is investing $9,633,396 to support public transit service in Durham Region. This funding through the 2025-26 Gas Tax program can be used for local public transit initiatives such as expanding service hours, increasing routes, purchasing new vehicles and improving accessibility to increase transit ridership.
“The people of Durham Region deserve access to reliable transit services that get them where they need to go quickly and safely,” said Lorne Coe, MPP Whitby, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security. “The funding we’re announcing today is good news for people and transit users in Whitby and other parts of the Region of Durham as our government continues to protect Ontario by making historic investments in public transit.”
The province is investing nearly $380 million through the 2025-26 Gas Tax program to support public transit in 107 municipalities, helping protect Ontario communities by strengthening transit services across the province. In addition to the Gas Tax program, Ontario also supports municipal transportation projects through the Connecting Links, and Ontario Transit Investment Fund programs.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing nearly $70 billion in public transit to protect Ontario by building a stronger, more resilient, self-reliant economy,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation. “Today, we’re ensuring municipalities can continue to deliver safe and reliable transit services for their communities.”
“This $9.6 million Gas Tax investment is a significant win for Durham Region, expanding transit options for residents who depend on public transportation,” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham. “Through the Gas Tax program, municipalities receive critical funding to extend service hours, introduce new routes, and enhance overall accessibility and reliability. Our government remains committed to supporting communities like Durham Region by making the infrastructure and transit investments needed to drive economic growth and keep people moving.”
“This $9.6 million investment through the 2025–26 Gas Tax program will support public transit services in Durham Region and help meet the needs of growing communities,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Member of Provincial Parliament, Pickering–Uxbridge. “By providing stable, predictable funding, our government is protecting Ontario and supporting safe, reliable transit that people in Pickering and Uxbridge can count on.”
Quick Facts
· Under the Dedicated Funding for Public Transportation Act, 2013, two cents per litre of gasoline tax is dedicated as a permanent funding source for public transit.
· Gas Tax funding can be used towards transit operating and capital costs at the municipalities’ own discretion.
· The Gas Tax funding envelope is determined annually, based on the amount of gasoline sold in the previous year.
· Gas Tax funding is determined through public transit ridership and population growth. The province’s approach provides stable support to all municipalities, including small communities, and helps expand public transit service hours and routes, new vehicles and better transit accessibility.
· Ontario is investing nearly $70 billion in the largest transit expansion in North America, including the largest subway expansion in Canadian history: the Ontario Line subway, the Yonge North Subway Extension, the Scarborough Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.
Quotes
“Durham Region Transit plays a vital role in keeping our growing region moving. This investment through the Gas Tax Program is a win for transit users in Durham Region. It will support service improvements and fleet modernization—making it easier for residents to get to work, school, medical appointments and stay connected to their community.”
– John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of Durham
Additional Resources · 2024-25 Gas Tax Funding by Municipality · 2023-24 Gas Tax Funding by Municipality · Gas Tax Information
MEDIA CONTACTS
Eric Hutchins, Office of Lorne Coe, MPP Whitby 905-430-1141 Lorne.coeco@pc.ola.org
Edward White Office of Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP Pickering-Uxbridge 905-509-0336 Peter.bethlenfalvyco@pc.ola.org
Doug Ellis Office of Todd McCarthy, MPP Durham 905-697-1501 douglas.ellis@pc.ola.org