(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (Saanich – Gulf Islands), issued the following statement on World Car-Free Day:
“World Car-Free Day is a chance for Canadians to consider the environmental and economic impacts of their day-to-day decision-making. In large cities, the average commute time can reach 80 minutes per day. In Toronto alone, gridlock costs the Canadian economy $5 billion in lost productivity every year. This does not consider the costs of increased air pollution.
“The Green Party’s plan is clear: we must develop a National Transportation Strategy to re-invest $600 million in 2015 and 2016 into our national rail systems and work through our Council of Canadian Governments to increase funding for municipal public transportation.
“On behalf of the Green Party, I join people around the world today to call for sustainable transportation options.”
“Going car-free brings so many benefits," continued Frances Litman, Green Party Transport Critic (Esquimalt – Saanich – Sooke). "As well as reducing our carbon emissions, there are proven health benefits when we walk, cycle, and take transit. That's good for our air quality, good for our bodies and good for our communities."
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca
Or
Kirsten Strom
Executive Assistant to Director of Communications
t: 613.562.4916 (200)
Toll Free 1.866.868.3447
kirsten.strom@greenparty.ca