Increased urban density in major Canadian cities has facilitated the development of public transit and other sustainable ways of commuting.
Public transit up in major metropolitan areas
Most Canadians travel to and from work in single-occupant vehicles (SOVs). However, over the last 20 years in major metropolitan areas, workplace commute on public transit has grown by 59 per cent to 12.4 per cent of total workplace commute. During the same time period, the total number of people commuting has grown by 36 per cent.
Over 80 per cent of Canada’s population lives in urban areas and approximately 50 per cent lives within six major metropolitan areas.Footnote1
These major metropolitan areas have experienced the largest growth rate in the last decade, and are expected to draw the majority of new residents in the future. This geographic shift tends to increase urban density and facilitate the development of public transit and other sustainable ways of commuting.
Various government policies also have an impact on the way Canadians commute.
As an example, as part of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, the Government of Canada is investing $20.1 billion in urban, green infrastructure across the country.
Regional initiatives such as the planned Réseau express métropolitain (REM) in Montreal also contribute to the expansion of the public transit systems across Canada.
Overall, changing demographics, technology, and consumer behaviour are among the other factors that are changing the way Canadians commute to work. The factors affecting the way Canadians commute are considered in an integrated context in the NEB’s Canada’s Energy Future 2017 report.
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