The Metrolinx Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area Urban Freight Study complements the Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway work being undertaken as a partnership between the Federal Government and the Ontario and Quebec Provincial Governments which has a focus on interregional, national and international goods movement.

This study is a broad review of urban freight within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) that will help:

• gain an understanding of the current activities in urban freight and the conditions under which freight moves through the “last mile” portions of the journey with a focus on freight originating and/or destined within the GTHA boundaries
• define and scope both the challenges facing the GTHA freight industry, and the opportunities, and
•  assemble and flesh out a set of promising options, gathered through industry consultation and a review of Best Practices elsewhere in North America and Europe, which will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban freight transportation in the GTHA, and thereby improve the quality of life, environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness of the entire region.

On February 18, 2011 the Metrolinx Board of Directors approved the GTHA Urban Freight Study and provided staff direction to:

• proceed to advance the next steps contained in the report in partnership with key stakeholders, including municipalities, and
•  establish a working group of partners to continue to provide input, leadership and direction on implementation and execution.