Selwyn Township has once again opened the debate on if the Link transportation service is worth preserving.
At the Selwyn Council meeting on June 9, staff presented a report stating they were not eligible for this year’s provincial gas tax funding. Because of this, the township would need to amend the budget to allow for the allocated provincial funding to be replaced through funding from the general governance reserve by the township.
According to a report presented to council by Angie Chittick, Manager of Community & Corporate Services/Clerk, it was stated that the township did not qualify for the funding from the province in 2025/26 due to timing constraints and the absence of a formal commitment to provide public transportation services.
The provincial gas tax is a program that allows municipalities to receive provincial funding for public transportation. According to the report, the province is legislated to collect and amount per litre when gas is purchased to support public transportation. The funds are then pooled into the gas tax funds to be distributed accordingly. However, municipalities are expected to contribute to the cost of the service to be eligible for gas tax funds.
Chittick did state in her report that should the township apply, they would be eligible for about $122,000 in gas tax funding for the 2026/27 year.
To be eligible next year, the township would need to meet certain requirements such as pass a By-law noting its intention to provide transportation services along with the other required data. Currently, the township has committed to operating the service until April 30, 2027.
Staff plan to present a report to council in December of this year that will include an analysis of various aspects of the Link to help determine its future at that time. Chittick’s report also reminded council that a broader County study related to transportation services is currently underway to help inform how The Link could integrate into a broader regional transportation plan.
Mayor Sherry Senis asked if passing the required by-law in December would give them enough time to qualify for the funding for the 2026/27 year.
Chittick stated that the answer was unclear from the province whethe they would be eligible or not in December, however the province did say to follow up at that time and they would go from there.
Coun. Mary Coulas ask what other requirements were needed by the province for this funding.
Chittick said that the by-law would be the first step, then they would enter into a letter of agreement with the province by April 2027, and then provide data such as ridership and contributions to the service.
Coulas also asked about the timeline of the County’s study and if a report would be coming to the township council for review of the findings.
Chittick said the hope was that their report would align time wise with the townships report in December to be included at that time. Chittick also said that the county was really relying on the Link as part of their service delivery. Chittick said the county was made aware the Link may not continue past April 2026, however the county is planning around the continuation of the service.
Senis also stated that there is a real need from other townships to be able to offer rural transportation as many residents across the County do not have access to transportation into Peterborough or around to other townships.
Coun. John Boyko asked how much the township was spending on the Link service this year with the additional reserve transfer.
Staff responded saying the transfer of funds to cover the gas tax portion would be $81,375, tax support at $29,935 and additionally budget transportation reserve transfer of $69,876 bring the total amount the township is spending on the service for 2026 to about $182,000.
Boyko said that while this service may grow depending on the County’s report, it currently does not service Young’s Point or Ennismore. He also said that according to a staff report from last year, ridership is decreasing.
He stated that while they needed to approve the transfer of funds from general governance reserve to ensure the service continues throughout April 30th, deliberation in December will be necessary for the next term of council to determine the future of the Link.
“It’ll be an interesting decision that will have to be made from December as to whether we are carrying on with the Link or not, and it will have to be based on, I believe, the popularity that is ridership, which will inform whether it’s financially feasible to go forward.”
Boyko moved the motion to approve the budget amendment which was seconded by Coun. Brian Henry and was approved.
