CICT - Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 08:00 p.m. (ET) - Segment #4

>> You're watching global news hour at 6. >> Joel: eye-opening report today on the state of calgary's transit system 1 comes to future funding to keep it running. The national independent report by leading mobility found that without operating money from the provincial or federal governments transit service in calgary will be threatened. It lays out options to address the funding shortfalls in here in calgary 1 of them being a potential vehicle levy. And joining us now is david cooper founder of leading mobility. Thanks for joining us david. I want to start with that vehicle tax on licence plates. How does that work and how would help? >> Sans national report reluctant to from revenue tools city! Look at for funding public transit and 1 of the things that's been done in places across many places across the world but also here in canada montréal is a vehicle levy and it looks at charging when you register your vehicle a certain portion of those vehicle fees go to transit operations. We seen things like that only wilket park in the visa. We seen things like that when we look at teensy fees and a whole bunch of other fees and what we wanted to do is really understand what's the impact of different revenue tools and the allowances you might need from different levels of government to pay for transit services so we don't have this annual conversation of shortfalls and what may still run as service and what may get the cut in the future. >> Linda: you mentioned offstreet parking tax. Calgarians were handed a person property tax so how do you convince people that these added taxes are the right solution for transit? >> Public transit is 10% of the operating budget and 1 of the things property tax increase does provide as additional transit service. There's been council direction on providing additional service to build primary transit network service every 10 minutes 7 days a week on our major quarters but to provide a transit service it's realistic option for the lee niel level of service that costs money. We seen such as offstreet parking levy put in place like vancouver. $88 million he or goes to translink budget and that pays for service so there's different diverse ways to pay for transit service so it doesn't come just out of your property tax bill and property tax increases and painful but city services cost money and to find different ways to pay for services such as public transit. >> Linda: just what are the threats to service without it? It's hard introducing attacks to people but what would we see in transit without it? >> There's 2 things that are happening. We seen across the country area through the budget cycle or debate about doing maintain current service levels? We have operating funding shortfalls for older transit agencies across canada. Calgary was $33 million last year which was able to be covered through public tax and other support but at the same time keep having this conversation of a year and if you want to expand service the city has said it's $127 million a year to expand service to have a high-frequency network across the city richard rahn people to transit and that's over 6% tax increase and I don't think calgarians how the stomach for purely property tax to pay for these things. Look at other ways to pay for but also its role of the province and the feds. We have international examples where there's levels of government providing transit operating funding because they are providing a social service. There's climate goals on this, economic mobility and a whole bunch of other things that's not being funded through day-to-day service or partners of the province with the feds unlikely seen other parts of the world. >> David cooper founder of leading mobility. We appreciate your time tonight. Thank you. >> Thanks are having me. >> It's a big weekend for the calgary marathon marking 60 years running. The gun will go off the sunday. The race is canada's longest-running marathon. The event is sold out and will be more people running this year than ever before. Organizers say there's number of reasons why the race is proving so popular. >> We've got tons of corporate teams, 47 teams in the corporate challenge. We've done a phenomenal job engaging families so making it accessible and financial removing the financial barriers for families to commit and participate with anyone 18 and younger $20 is all it cost. And of course we also are seeing a really big influx of newcomers coming to canada who are driving the wrong club culture and the run crew culture. >> Joel: participants have raised over $500,000 for 109 charities. And the marathon will not be the only big celebration happening on the course because joelle tomlinson reports 1 local runner will be crossing off a major

milestone. >>> 62-year-old wendy downes is a beloved face on calgary's pathways. >> She's always in a good mood and easy to run with. >> Reporter: they met at a running club in the 1990s. Since then it's impossible to tally up the miles and memories made. >> First marathon 1995. 95 degrees hot street to that marathon and honolulu sparking a lifelong pursuit of an indescribable feeling. >> There's a feeling that when you cross that first finish line >> Reporter: simpson wendy's 2 feet and indomitable spirit have taken her around the world and running 42.2 kilometres isn't enough she is a signature cartwheel way. The first cartwheel kelowna's peter this weekend wendy will be towing the line of the 60th calgary marathon reminiscing on the very first race and how much is changed. >> I remember the lineups for the bathrooms. It was 95 degrees. Back then we were wearing cotton running bras and t-shirts and gears come a long way. >> Reporter: ended a special twist of fate it will be her 54 marathon. >> At such an elite group who can do this and wendy is proving just how strong and tough she is. >> Reporter: the calgary marathon carry special meaning. >> I have the best support. >> Reporter: not simply a personal achievement but a testament to the love and community built by 3 decades of running. >> My people will be there. >> Reporter: with a big 50 command the golden question remains what's next. >> I won't be surprised if she does another 1 or 2. She is 1 quick. I don't know stay tuned. Joelle tomlinson global news a big fundraising effort is beginning right now in our province aimed at helping kids who need critical medical care. >> Today we kicked off the big build taca fundraising campaign for the extension of ronald mcdonald house. >> Joel: the campaign will help provide more families a home away from home when they need most, when they travel to calgary for their child's medical treatment. The money raised will expand the house. Right now construction project is growing the facility from 27 family suites to 91. Officials say a thousand families come to our city each year for care but right now the house is unable to support 1200 of them. >> Tripling capacity will get us closer to 50% of the need but we don't want families with their expensive hotel stays sleeping in their cars and making them challenging decisions like who's gone to be the hospital and who will be 4 hours away at home. >> The extension project expected to cost $359. The charity hoping this campaign raises 12 million. Some donors will get a physical brick on the exterior of the house to recognize their contribution. So visit rmhcmb to build.org if you want to get involved. Great work they do their hopefully they raise all the money the need. >> I'm sure they well. People always step up to help this family is going through a tough time.

>>> A well-known calgarian and dedicated community advocate and very good friend of ours getting a very special honour. Gord gillies who you know from working here at global calgary for 25 years as and as a host on qr calgary radio is being the student honorary doctor of laws from mount royal university at the june 12 convocation. Mru says gold is being recognized for his work in news media and as an advocate for compassion for people who struggle with addictions and depression. Gord has been a strong voice in the community encouraging people suffering from deep grief especially men to seek counselling. We talked with gord today and he says this is a wonderful surprise that is humbling. Afzaal is thrilled to be connected with such a great institution that's been a big part of the southwest calgary boys life. Gord is 1 of 6 prominent albertans being recognized with honorary doctors of laws degrees at mru next month. And he is such a special person. This is wonderful to see. Lots of recognized calgarians on that list but we wanted to take a moment to give a special congratulations to our friend. >> So deserving. We love him so much. >> I never got a chance to work with them directly but every single time I met him it's been an amazing experience and he's offered such kind words to me and I appreciate it so much. Congratulations gord. Good guy. >> Linda: very humble so I think it will be a special day for him and his family. >> Paul: he made me laugh about 50 times a day. >> Linda: hard to get through the newscast sometimes. >> Paul: if you have a good news story and would like to share it with interviewers you can e-mail what you have 2 calgary viewers at globalnews.ca. >> Linda: coming up as people live longer, new funding is on the way to help support seniors as they age. We will have the details on that next. >> Joel: plus a toronto tipoff. Basketball icons on hand as the wnba officially expands into canada for the 2026 season. >> Paul: no surprise here well below the seasonal average of 18 today. We maxed out at just 11 degrees. We'll talk about tomorrow not only for us in calgary but across canada and usa but right now we want to talk about camping. Western rv camping, western rv country camping report featuring photo from barney of west bragg creek. Hopefully your camping this weekend and look something like that with very little green but we expect some rain especially along the foothills in the mountains and temperatures of This program is brought to you by Distress Centre Calgary Phone or text 9-8-8 for crisis support - anywhere, anytime. Parrots are incredible animals. [Parrot] Another overdue bill! Yeah. They're also extremely intelligent. [Parrot] Forgot to pay again! They also repeat things they hear a lot. The new bmo eclipse rise Visa card rewards you with points for paying your bill on time every month to help build a routine. [Parrot] Rewards you with points! And you get 5x the points on things like groceries, dining and recurring bill payments. [Parrot] For paying your bill! —But also you can... — [Parrot] Every month! —And just remember. —[Parrot] Build a routine! [Parrot squawking] He is a talker. When a bank helps you make real financial progress. That's the bmo Effect. Bmo It always hungers for more because it's seldom full. (Engine roaring) ( ) Behold the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. (Mixed gasps) ( ) ( ) Ooooo! ( ) (Bip) OoOooo! ( ) Ooooo! —Ooooo! —Ooooo! —Ooooo... Have a little boooooost. ( ) Hey, so Mom's thing is coming up. Should we book flights? Let's do it. We could go a day early. Mmm... Or the later one? ( ) With over 500 flights daily... we have a flight for that. A delicious McWrap can be hard to put down. But with new Creamy Avocado Ranch sauce, it's even harder. So what'll it be Sarah? Juicy text, or juicy bite? Obviously. For the McWrap fans. ( ) (Knocking) It's that odd woman who works with the police. Oh, she's funny, let her in. Hi, I'm Elsbeth Tascioni. I've actually been a very successful lawyer. Side bar. But it turns out, I'm very good at solving murder cases. Oh. How lucky. I call it the "Elsbeth." Hashtag: "Do that thang." Hashtag: "Can we get back to the case?" ANNOUNCER:Elsbeth, season finale tonightat 10 eastern on Global. Are you ready to playBig Brother? Mmm, are you ready? You don't wanna miss out. Announcer: Big Brother, special two-night premiere July 17th and 18th on Global. (Announcer says words on screen)

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