Another Airtight Reason to Reduce Vehicle Traffic in Toronto

Everyone knows vehicle traffic in Toronto’s downtown needs to be reduced, and to hammer the point home, Toronto Public Health’s new study reports some shocking statistics.

We don’t think you’re ready for these numbers. The study, Path to Healthier Air: Toronto Air Pollution Burden of Illness Update, shows that there are approximately 1,300 premature deaths and 3,550 hospitalizations a year in Toronto thanks to air pollution. The study also states that Toronto’s air pollution is a major cause of cardiovascular and respiratory problems, may negatively affect birth, and is linked to cancer and other chronic diseases and illnesses.

Over the last decade, thanks to new government policies and programs like the phasing out of coal-fired power generation, the amount of premature deaths has decreased by 23% and by 41% in hospitalizations.

But it’s still not enough. "Healthy public policy can make a difference in saving lives," said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health. "This report shows that we are better off than we were, but air pollution still has a serious impact on health. More work is needed to reduce emissions and reduce health risks."

The study states that air pollution from motor vehicle traffic causes approximately 280 premature deaths and 1,090 hospitalizations, annually.

"With over half of the health impact from Toronto's local air pollution attributed to motor vehicle traffic, expanding transportation options so that more people walk, cycle and take transit, is a prescription for better air and better health," Dr. McKeown explained.

It is apparent now, more than ever, that the City of Toronto needs to shake its addiction to the car. The study recommends taking pedestrians and cyclists into consideration when planning and developing new forms of public transit, as well as coming up with an “urban freight strategy” to reduce the amount of time heavy-duty trucks spend on the roads.

We believe that the responsibility of creating highly walkable areas in Toronto also falls on the shoulders of home builders and condo developers. We’re seeing walkable master-plans in the east with Dundee Kilmer’s Canary District, Daniels Regent Park, and Tridel and Hines’ Bayside Toronto.

In order to build a healthy future, we need more projects like these; more cohesive master-plans that provide it all; we need true work/live/play neighbourhoods. We’re on the right track, let’s not get winded.