It's Time to #HitGo!

Let’s face it: The Toronto region spends way more than it makes.

For decades, we said ‘not now’ to projects we need to advance.

We take too long to make decisions that would boost our budgets.

Let’s hit go, now to grow our economy.

How?

By investing in: moving people and goods; updating our energy grid; using our land better; and selling our technology...

Let's end the inertia.

Let’s give workers the quality of life they expect – and deserve.

Let’s hit go – now – on:

Making it easier to build livable cities AND supporting the growth of ideas.

Let's attract investment and KEEP our talent in the region.

Let’s hit go on big change, real action and bold choices.

Let's hit go to unlock our region’s full potential.

Visit bee-oh-tee-dot-com slash hit go to learn more.

The Bottom Line

During the pandemic, we saw leaders at every level of government unite and act with urgency to create solutions – and it worked.

But at the same time, we continued falling behind our international peers in other areas. Canada is tracking to have the lowest growth in income-per-capita among the 38 member countries of the OECD during 2020-2030.

We must keep our momentum and get-it-done attitude that brought us through our most challenging time to address the pressing issues we face today.

It's time to work together and hit go on solutions that will unlock growth and competitiveness in the Toronto Region.

Here are three things the Toronto region can #HitGo on today:

1. Housing

Ontario's population is expected to grow by 37.7% by 2046 – that's over 5.6 million people who will need a place to live. At the same time, not enough homes of all types are being built quickly enough to support the fast-growing Toronto region.

Our Meeting in the Middle report outlines the solutions available to the region that can combat the housing affordability crisis and enable businesses to compete for and retain talent.

Two Toronto streetcars passing one another.

2. Fare Integration

Municipalities have borders but people don’t. Transit users who travel across the region experience fare inequities when moving between two transit systems, paying higher fares that don’t reflect the distance travelled.

Our Erasing the Invisible Line report outlines solutions our municipal leaders can hit go on that combine regional integration while maintaining local autonomy.

3. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

While the automotive sector ramps up production of electric vehicles with the support of government grants, supportive infrastructure is needed to help get these cars, buses and trucks on the road.

Our SuperCharge Roadmap report outlines opportunities to accelerate fleet transitions, charging infrastructure, the electricity grid and low-carbon fueling infrastructure in the region.

Resources

For Toronto to succeed economically, we must declare ‘It’s time to hit go!’ - Board President & CEO Jan De Silva in the Toronto Star, May 28, 2022

The Toronto Region Board of Trade says "It's Time to Hit Go!" - Board President & CEO Jan De Silva on "The Daily Brief" with Dave Trafford, June 30, 2022

Stronger Than Ever: TRBOT's Annual Lunch with Mayor John Tory - Toronto Region Board of Trade Live Event, June 23, 2022

Other Initiatives:

Joint Initiative

Climate Economy Strategic Council

A council designed to solve for the cleantech adoption necessary for the Toronto Region to lead in the climate economy and reach net zero by 2050.

Joint Initiative

Pearson Economic Zone Project

This joint initiative dives into a key business district in the region where economic activities such as warehousing, logistics and distribution, and manufacturing concentrate.

Initiative

Business Districts and the Regional Economy

Assessing five Districts based on key economic, physical, and workforce characteristics.