FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Mayors of large urban areas in Ontario are united on the need for new revenue to invest in roads and transit.
“Ending Gridlock in Ontario is our number one priority,” stated Mayor McCallion, Chair of the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario. “What has been done in the past is not enough, and the results are clear: overloaded transit systems, and traffic jammed highways. We need it fixed.”
Ontario’s Big City Mayors have come together in agreement that it’s time to talk about new revenue tools to address the issue of gridlock. This is not just a Greater Toronto Area issue, gridlock affects all of Ontario. Whether it’s a slowdown of goods moving from Windsor to London, Kingston to Ottawa, or the GTA to Niagara, gridlock is costing Ontario jobs and is a key priority for all cities – large and small.
The Mayors of the large urban cities in Ontario do support new revenue tools that are fair and reasonable to help end gridlock in Ontario. It is likely a number of revenue tools will be needed to address gridlock, sharing the burden with all those with a stake in the solution. However, Ontario’s Big City Mayors do not support adding a “transit tax” to the already overburdened property tax bill.
As Metrolinx and ultimately the Province are faced with developing the necessary revenue to address gridlock, the Mayors of major urban areas are supportive as they seek ways of putting the brakes on gridlock.
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The Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario represents 67% of Ontario’s population. Currently there are 26 Big City Mayors with populations of over 100,000 residents. Mayor Hazel McCallion is Chair of the
Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario.
Contact:
Carol Horvat
Executive Assistant to the Mayor
Office of the Mayor
(905) 615-4030