Mississauga will consider a motion this week that would let all members of the Canadian Armed Forces ride MiWay transit buses free of charge year-round.

If adopted, the proposal will provide free service on city buses for all active regular and reserve members of the CAF as well as veterans upon presentation of the appropriate identification. Currently, they can ride the buses in Mississauga for free only on Remembrance Day in November and on the day of the Warriors’ Day Parade held each August in Toronto — as is the case in most Ontario municipalities.

As of January this year, veterans and other Canadian Armed Forces members can ride GO Transit and the UP Express (between Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga and Union Station in downtown Toronto) for free throughout the year.

The motion, tabled by Mississauga Ward 7 Coun. Dipika Damerla, seeks council’s support to “approve, in principle, the provision of complimentary access to MiWay” for all CAF members. City of Mississauga senior staff would then be directed to develop an implementation plan that would include, among other things, eligibility criteria and acceptable forms of identification.

The councillor is also asking in her motion that the city’s mayor, on behalf of council, write to the Minister of National Defence, local CAF units and veterans’ organizations in Mississauga “to advise them of this initiative and to reaffirm the city’s ongoing support for those who serve.”

In its preamble, the motion notes:

All CAF members are “valued members” of Canadian society.
Many serving members, particularly reservists, are “facing increasing financial pressures due to the rising cost of living in Mississauga and the broader region while balancing military duties, civilian employment and family responsibilities.”
CAF members who commute from Mississauga to Moss Park Armoury or Fort York Armoury, both in Toronto, benefit from complimentary travel on MiWay as a result of the provincial government’s One Fare Program while the same members commuting entirely within Mississauga to access the Toronto Scottish Regiment Armoury must pay the full MiWay fare.
Providing complimentary MiWay rides for CAF members and veterans would be “a tangible demonstration of the City of Mississauga’s appreciation for their service and would align with broader regional efforts to recognize their contributions and sacrifices.”

The motion will be discussed at Wednesday’s city council meeting.


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