TORONTO -

In light of the provincial election coming up in Ontario, the Toronto Automobile Dealers Association is taking action to halt what it believes has been a “war on cars” and is imploring the political parties to put the traffic issue at the forefront of the election.

TADA wants the parties to examine Statistics Canada’s “Commuting to Work” study, which indicates that in Toronto, driving a car to work is a 20-minute shorter route than using public transportation. Toronto is Canada’s “worst region” when it comes to work commutes, TADA said, citing the study.

In fact, the Toronto Board of Trade found in a recent study that it takes 80 minutes, on average, to get to and from work each day in Greater Toronto, TADA indicated. Moreover, commuting to work is a $6 billion annual cost to the area’s economy.

“The Toronto Automobile Dealers Association is asking each provincial political party to put forth policies to end the war on cars and reduce traffic on our roadways. The ‘Commuting to Work’ study shows that while public transit has a role, Ontario families simply need cars and want to drive them. Public policy should reflect more respect towards car users and not proclaim that public transit alone will solve Greater Toronto’s traffic congestion,” said TADA executive director Todd Bourgon.

"Let’s face the facts: Ontario families need cars to run their household. Cars represent the freedom and independence that gives families the flexibility to go to school, attend hockey practice or take a vacation when it’s convenient for them,” he added.

“With Ontario’s population expected to grow, more cars will be on our roads and the next provincial government must plan for that,” Bourgon continued.

Sharing the stances of political parties, TADA said that the platform of the Ontario PC Party “commits to ‘stop the war on the car’ and balancing transportation policy between public transportation and cars.”

TADA indicates that Ontario NDP has pledged a 1-percentage point cut each year on the HST gasoline tax, while the Green Party of Ontario “will impose a carbon tax — increasing the cost of owning the family car.”

Lastly, the Ontario Liberal Party hasn’t revealed its platform, TADA says.