A co-publication of Green Jobs BC and Blue Green Canada, Good Jobs, Clean Skies examines the potential economic and climate impacts of the Mayors’ Council Transit Plan. Our analysis finds that the plan will drive growth in good jobs, contribute billions of dollars to our GDP, and reduce the overall environmental footprint of the region.
Key Findings
If implemented, the Mayors’ Council plan over its 10 years will contribute to 26,322 person years of new direct employment, 43,800 person years of total employment, $2.96 billion in wages, and $4.48 billion toward GDP in Metro Vancouver. On average, over the 10 years, 4,380 person years of employment will be created annually. By 2024, the annual number of person years of work from the Mayors’ Council plan will be 5,901. (A person year of employment is equal to one full-time equivalent job for one year.)
Transit investment is effective economic stimulus: every dollar invested in improved transit infrastructure creates $1.48 in benefits, and reduces private sector costs by 17 cents.
Regional targets for livability, growth, and location of employment centres will be supported by improved transit in all parts of the region, notably in fast growing urban centres such as Vancouver, Surrey, and the Tri-Cities.
The plan will save more than $1 billion in traffic congestion costs. The distances people drive and the costs of excess emissions will all be reduced by about a third. Greenhouse gases from transport will fall 8.2% versus a business as usual approach, and Metro Vancouver will be well on its way to being a place where half of all trips can be made by walking, cycling, and transit by 2043.
About the Authors
Public policy consultant Blair Redlin served as Deputy Minister of Employment and Investment, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Highways, President the BC Transportation and Financing Authority and President of the Transportation Association of Canada while a senior civil servant with the Province of British Columbia.
Economist David Fairey is a labour relations consultant with Labour Consulting Services. He has a Master’s degree in Labour Economics and Public Finance and 24 years of experience as director of the Trade Union Research Bureau, specializing in labour relations.
About the Organizations
Green Jobs BC exists to strengthen communication and cooperation between labour and environmental organizations, in order to advance economic and environmental initiatives that provide good green jobs; are socially equitable; are ecologically responsible; and result in the reduction of GHG emissions.
Blue Green Canada is an alliance between Canadian labour unions, environmental and civil society organizations to advocate for working people and the environment by promoting solutions to environmental issues that have positive employment and economic impacts.
Both organizations share a vision for an inclusive, sustainable economy that provides good jobs and protects the environment.
