Liberals relieved toll scheme axed
Liberal ministers expressed relief Thursday at the first cabinet meeting since Premier Kathleen Wynne stopped Toronto Mayor John Tory’s plan to toll the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway.

thestar.com
By Robert Benzie
Feb. 2, 2017

It was starting to take a toll.

Liberal ministers expressed relief Thursday at the first cabinet meeting since Premier Kathleen Wynne stopped Toronto Mayor John Tory’s plan to toll the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway.

As first disclosed by the Star, ministers from the 905 region warned Wynne at their previous cabinet meeting on Jan. 18 that tolling the city-owned highways would hurt them in next year’s provincial election.

It was their alarm - and a groundswell of opposition from other Liberal MPPs and Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area municipal leaders - that forced the premier to make the U-turn that infuriated Tory.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa, who represents Mississauga South, said residents “have stated very clearly and loudly” their concern about tolls without other transportation options available.

“They welcome the decision - it’s a decision that they’ve asked us to make,” said Sousa, noting the province is doubling the share of provincial gasoline tax revenues to cities, which will mean an additional $170 million a year for Toronto alone.

“People all over Ontario - certainly the municipalities that now qualify for more revenue - they’re happy,” he said.

Tourism, Culture, and Sport Minister Eleanor McMahon, who represents Burlington, said “the issue of affordability” was top of mind among her constituents.

“People who travel to Toronto and have to take their vehicle...would have been faced with increased costs of an average of about $1,000 a year,” said McMahon, noting more public transit improvements are still required.

“We’re not quite there yet and until we are I think it’s unfair that I ask my constituents to pay that,” she said.

“I’m happy that we came to the decision that we did. The premier sought advice and listened to her caucus and to concerns.”

Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca, who represents Vaughan, while his constituents know transit improvements are coming, there still aren’t enough options for commuters.

“They can see that the subway is going to be running to Vaughan in a few months. They know that we’re deploying more service on the Barrie GO line; they know that we’re building an LRT along with York Region along Hwy. 7. So they can see the evidence that it’s coming,” said Del Duca.

“But they know it doesn’t exist right now. They know they don’t have alternatives. But, most importantly, they know they’re feeling a pinch on their pocketbooks, generally speaking. They have that anxiety. I think it’s reasonable and justifiable.”

Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister David Zimmer, who represents Willowdale, said residents in his riding were wary of increased gridlock on Bayview Ave. and Leslie St. if motorists skipped the DVP to avoid tolls.

“The folks in Willowdale are happy to see the traffic continue on the Don Valley rather than go down Leslie, Bayview, Don Mills Rd., and so on,” said Zimmer.

Liberal insiders note there was never a major 416-905 split in caucus over tolls.

There were only three MPPs from Toronto who spoke in favour of them.

Both Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath were also against tolling the roads.