ACT Canada Sustainable Mobility & Healthy Communities Summit 2014 Reducing Health Impacts of Air Pollution: Investing in Active Transportation Infrastructure Stephanie Gower Toronto Public Health Co-authors: Ronald Macfarlane, Marco Belmont, Kate Bassil, Monica Campbell December 2, 2014

Health Impacts of Air Pollution Air pollution harms our health Our transportation systems affect our air quality

Health Impacts of Air Pollution Air pollution in Toronto from all sources currently gives rise to 1,300 premature deaths and 3,550 hospitalizations annually This represents a decrease of 23% in premature deaths and 41% in hospitalizations as compared with 2004 estimates

Health Impacts of Local Air Pollution Traffic is the most significant local source of air pollution and resulting burden of illness Other sources also contribute to the overall burden of illness from air pollution Prepared by: Toronto Public Health Premature Deaths Hospitalizations

Pyramid of Health Effects from Traffic-Related Air Pollution

Commuting Trends

Active Transportation

Key Policy Recommendations City Council requested the Province of Ontario to: –fund municipal transit and active transportation infrastructure to reduce air pollution emissions in Toronto and the GTHA; –ensure that all Metrolinx "Big Move" projects incorporate safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists to encourage travel that reduces air pollution emissions;

Status of provincial commitments Provincial commitments have been strong… ….these are long-term commitments and it will be a while before we understand the details and how money will actually be spent to support transit and active transportation infrastructure

Response from the Province: Transit $8.4 billion in provincial funding for Toronto rapid transit projects $15 billion commitment to transit and transportation in the GTHA Source: Government of Ontario (2014 budget) Photo Credit: Michael Day

Response from the Province and Metrolinx: Active Transportation Infrastructure Metrolinx guidelines to facilitate active transportation near major transit stations Eglinton redesign $25 million from MTO for municipal and provincial cycling infrastructure

Toronto Air Quality Over Time Most pollutants show steady decline since 2000 Levels since 2009 have stagnated or may be increasing

Actions make a Difference Photo: Hmvh1 Canada-Wide Standards for Particulate Matter and Ozone

Sustainable transportation co-benefits Photo credit: Karen Stintz, via Flickr

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