OPINION: Jam-packed! Congestion means Torontonians are missing out

Article content

“I don’t know what the solution is … just do something!” The words of Liberty Village residents reverberated across the city over the weekend, speaking to the frustration our mounting congestion crisis is causing.

Some good news is the city and province appear to be listening to residents and businesses. On Wednesday, they announced up to $73 million to accelerate construction on the Dufferin-Shaw stretch of the Gardiner Expressway by 30% and moving up the completion date by at least a year.

Recent polling by Toronto Region Board of Trade and Ipsos resoundingly support this move. Three-quarters of respondents support 24-hour construction to get projects completed faster, even if it would mean dealing with additional noise and disruption.

Residents are clearly fed up with planning their lives around our congested roadways and our poll illustrates the sobering reality: People aren’t just trying to figure out an easier way to get from point A to B, they’re increasingly deciding to take a pass on many of the great things on offer across the Toronto region.

The economic costs are hard to ignore and when opportunity costs factored in, congestion is costing our region up to $11 billion.

What does that look like? For example, 42% say they avoid going to the store, the same number are opting out of attending entertainment or sports events, while 38% told us they steer clear of dining out — all because of our unbearable gridlock.

Toronto is a growing city and will host many exciting international events and attractions in the coming months and years, including the FIFA World Cup, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and a new WNBA team. The business opportunities surrounding these major events are greater than just buying a ticket.

As congestion makes life more difficult for residents, it’s also hurting our local businesses. Every time residents avoid shopping on a local high street, or grabbing a coffee on the way to visit family our retailers and restaurants lose customers. When congestion keeps people at home, they aren’t going to dinner before a concert, or to a nightclub afterward. They won’t buy a hotdog, a beer, or a jersey at the hockey game.

Concerningly, our gridlocked streets also hinder residents’ ability to invest in their future. Our poll showed that nearly 25% avoid applying for jobs in different parts of the region to avoid contending with our congested roadways, while 12% said traffic was the reason they’ve passed on opportunities for further education and upskilling. If residents continue to forgo opportunities to advance their careers and education, we risk diminishing the long-term economic viability of our region and stifling Toronto’s unique and innovative spirit.

Something’s got to give. That’s why the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s Congestion Task Force is focused on developing realistic and actionable solutions to address the crisis.

Every missed trip to the mall, skipped event, and unfilled job application erodes the strength that propels our region forward. We must take decisive action to alleviate congestion, bolster our economy, help our small and medium sized businesses succeed and enhance the experience for tourists and residents alike.

Solving congestion must be a top priority for political leaders across the region. Other decisions may have to be relegated to solve this critical issue with the urgency it merits. We need to get our region moving again. Residents are ready to get back to living their lives, without having to plan their days around congestion. It’s high time they can.

-Giles Gherson is President & CEO of Toronto Region Board of Trade

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video