GTA mayors' wishlist for federal budget

torontosun.com
March 20, 2016
By Jenny Yuen

GTA mayors are hoping Canada’s Liberal government will toss some infrastructure funding their way in Tuesday’s budget.

Here are the wishlists they provided to the Toronto Sun of what they hope to see funded:

Toronto Mayor John Tory

• The design and eventual construction of his SmartTrack surface-rail commuter plan.

• Keeping the TTC in a good state of repair. As Toronto’s transit network is expanded, there’s a need to invest in the existing system to ensure commuters receive reliable service. Tory says there’s a need to modernize signals, make track repairs, ensure stations are accessible to people in wheelchairs, and buy new buses and streetcars.

• This could be the first federal budget that includes investment in social housing - a key demand from Toronto. Tory wants to see federal funding for much-needed repairs to Toronto Community Housing buildings.

Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

• Yonge subway extension from Finch Ave. to Hwy. 7.

• Support for the Big Move Plan, including two-way all-day service on the Barrie Go Line.

• Black Creek Renewal: The Black Creek traverses the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre - the City of Vaughan’s new downtown core. The Black Creek corridor is positioned to attract investment, support urban growth and provide parkland and open space.

Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey

• Building the so-called “Missing Link”: Railway line improvements needed to provide all-day, two-way GO train service between Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo, via Milton.

• Riverwalk: Funding for a flood mitigation project needed for downtown Brampton. There are also potential economic spinoffs associated with the project that would make the downtown more pedestrian friendly and unlock potential for residential and commercial development.

• Affordable Housing in Peel and Brampton. Waiting times for public housing is among the highest in the GTA.

Oshawa Mayor John Henry

• GO train extension: If GO Transit was extended to Clarington and Oshawa, it would assist the Durham Learning and Business district proposal, which would bring private enterprise together with higher education and emerging technology, according to Henry. It would also provide more access to affordable housing and Oshawa’s colleges and universities.

• Oshawa Waterfront Redevelopment: Residents and visitors to Durham would have the ability to enjoy a culture created around the water, marina and lakefront.

• Investment in employment lands around Hwy. 407 and educational institutions to create jobs and better highway access.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie

• Like her counterpart in Brampton, Crombie identified the “Missing Link” transit plan as a priority.

• Revitalizing the Port Credit Harbour Marina.

• A renewed commitment to Mississauga’s Canada 150 projects - infrastructure improvements that are to be financed from a $150-million federal fund. All submitted projects must tie into celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday.