Tory, Wynne discuss affordable housing, transit ahead of provincial election
Posted March 1, 2018 11:55 am.
Last Updated March 1, 2018 1:42 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Affordable housing and transit were top items on the agenda as Mayor John Tory and Premier Kathleen Wynne met at city hall on Thursday, in what will likely be their last meeting before the provincial election in June.
Tory is hoping for more transit money before the election and said he will be keeping a close watch on the provincial budget, which is expected to be delivered in the next few weeks.
“I think the premier completely understands what our most basic needs are in terms of moving the transit file forward in particular because we spent a great deal of our time talking about transit,” Tory said at a news conference after the meeting.
With respect to affordable housing, the mayor is looking for a one-third commitment from the province to help fund much of the $1.6-million repair backlog at Toronto Community Housing (TCH).
Wynne said “we’re there” when it comes to housing funding, but added the amount is still open for discussion.
“We are there as a partner on housing,” she said. “It is great to have a three-way partnership now with the federal government. Will there be an ongoing discussion about proportions and projects? Absolutely. But the partnership is solid.”
At one point, an upset resident screamed outside the doors where Tory and Wynne were holding the news conference.
Just as Wynne was about to answer a question at the news conference, ear-piercing screams erupted in the reception area. The woman said she was upset at the way TCH has been treating her.
The disruption lasted around 15 minutes, and the woman was escorted away from the mayor’s office by security.
