Ontario Investing $2,205,325 in Thunder Bay - Atikokan
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Provincial gas tax funding will help support and improve local public transit initiatives
News Release | April 2nd, 2026
THUNDER BAY / ATIKOKAN — As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the province is investing $2,205,325 to support public transit services in Thunder Bay - Atikokan. 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.
Funding for municipalities in Thunder Bay - Atikokan includes:
City of Thunder Bay - $2,181,141
Town of Atikokan - $24,184
“The people of Thunder Bay - Atikokan deserve access to reliable transit services that get them where they need to go quickly and safely,” said The Hon. Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay - Atikokan. “The funding we’re announcing today is good news for people and transit users 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.”
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
“The City of Thunder Bay is very appreciative of this funding from the province to support and enhance public transit across our community,” said Ken Boshcoff, Mayor of Thunder Bay. “Public transit is essential for residents who rely on it to get to work, school, appointments and services. This investment, which is included in our 2026 Capital Budget, will help the city improve routes, extend service hours and continue providing reliable transit options that connect people to where they need to go.”
“This is positive news for Atikokan. Investments like this help us continue providing reliable transit services and support the long-term sustainability of our program for residents who depend on it. " said Rob Ferguson, Mayor of Atikokan. " It also reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting public transit, including small, rural systems in Northwestern Ontario. We thank the Province for this continued support.”
