Building Canada’s Transit Future: Damera at CUTRIC’s Federal Advocacy Meetings

On September 4, CUTRIC-CRITUC convened federal ministries in Ottawa to advance the future of zero-emission transit. These high-level discussions brought together key industry leaders — including Mississauga Bus Group of Companies (Damera's parent company), represented by COO Roger D’Hollander — to shape policy, funding, and industrial strategy for Canada’s evolving transit sector.

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The conversations signaled strong federal interest in CUTRIC’s priorities, including:

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• Expanding the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) to $5B+ annually.
• Strengthening Canadian transit manufacturing and job creation.
• Ensuring representation in upcoming Canada-U.S. trade talks.
• Recognizing major transit projects under the Building Canada Act.

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Why This Matters for Ontario and Canada

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For Damera Corporation and MBGC, these policy directions are not abstract. They align directly with our mission: to expand Canada’s domestic transit capacity while delivering clean, cost-effective solutions for communities of every size.

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Policies like “Buy Canadian” highlight the need to reinforce local industries instead of relying on imports. By investing in Ontario’s technical infrastructure, manufacturing capacity, and workforce, we strengthen economic resilience while meeting urgent climate and equity goals.

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Damera’s Contribution

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With over two decades of expertise in bus service, refurbishment, assembly, and sales, Damera and our sister company MBCT (Mississauga Bus Coach & Truck Repairs) bring practical, proven capacity to the Canadian transit ecosystem. MBCT services more than 3,000 buses annually for over 70 agencies. This foundation allowed Damera to understand better needs of transit agencies and deliver buses, genuine parts and charging infrastructure to support our image as the reliable distributor in Canada.

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• We deliver right-sized, zero-emission buses designed for suburban and rural communities.
• Provide charging infrastructure design and installation for efficient fleet deployment.
• Offer TÜV-certified high-voltage training and driver development programs to prepare the workforce for electrification.
• Support agencies with parts supply and refurbishment services, ensuring long lifecycle value.
• Partner with leading innovators to integrate on-demand apps, autonomous technologies, and new service models.

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Scaling Rural and Regional Transit

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The future of transit isn’t only about big-city networks. Ontario’s small towns and rural regions need flexible, scalable models that connect residents to jobs, healthcare, and education without the cost and inefficiency of oversized buses. Right-sized, accessible electric minibuses, combined with app-based scheduling and optimized routes, are redefining what local transit can achieve.

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Watch the video to see the difference our eJEST bus brings to Canadian communities:

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Through funding programs like the Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF), communities can access up to $5 million annually to launch or expand microtransit projects. Damera helps municipalities and Indigenous communities plan, pilot, and scale these services with confidence.

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Looking Ahead

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Damera Corporation is committed to building an ecosystem of investment, skills, and innovation in Ontario and across Canada. By aligning federal policies with local expertise and technology partnerships, we are driving the transition toward clean, connected, and resilient transit systems that work for every community.

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“Transit innovation must be practical, scalable, and rooted in local capacity. That’s how we move beyond concepts to real systems that people use and rely on every day.”

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👉 Learn more about how Damera can support your transit projects: sales@dameracorp.com

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