Canada's Active Transportation Strategy to Benefit Shared Micromobility

Earlier this year, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced that she would develop a national active transportation strategy that would prioritize biking, walking, and active school travel. NABSA is enthusiastic about this focus on active urban mobility coming from the federal level in Canada, and the opportunities that it can bring for shared micromobility. NABSA has submitted a letter supporting the active transportation strategy to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Andy Fillmore, MP, who has been tasked with the development of the strategy. NABSA has met with the office and will be participating in stakeholder discussions held by the office as part of the development process.

Additionally, Canada has two new funding opportunities for which shared micromobility initiatives and supporting infrastructure projects may be eligible:

Infrastructure Canada is accepting applications from nonprofits for their Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI), a project that will provide up to $31 million in existing federal funding to the organizations selected. CHCI will support projects that create safe and vibrant public spaces, improve mobility options, or provide digital solutions to communities through data and connected technologies. Learn more about this opportunity here.

Also, from Infrastructure Canada, the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: COVID-19 Resilience stream responds to the impacts of COVID-19 by providing provinces and territories with added flexibility to fund quick-start, short-term projects. Eligible projects include developing active transportation infrastructure, including parks, trails, footbridges, bike lanes, and multi-use paths. Learn more about this opportunity here.

We’re excited to see this forward momentum from Canada’s federal government and what it may mean for shared micromobility in Canada. We encourage our Canadian members to take advantage of these funding sources and show your support for the National Active Transportation Strategy.

Learn more about NABSA’s advocacy efforts at nabsa.net/advocacy.