Ground breaking deal between Toronto and the Ontario Government

November 27, 2023

What you need to know

  •  $1.2 billion in new money for Toronto.
  • New subway -integrated transit projects
  • Increased police patrolling on subways
  • Expanding cellular services on subway lines.
  • New trains to operate on the TTC
  • $600m for shelters and refugee claimants.
  • Housing unites on provincially owned lands
  • The province takes over Gardiner Expressway and the DVP
  • City gives up Ont Place objections

Doug Ford on the deal

Mayor Chow on the Science centre

Ford on building more housing

Mayor Chow on Ontario place

Toronto city is getting a boost from the provincial government in a new deal.

by Hiba Al Zubaidi
 The Ontario government has agreed to provide the city of Toronto with up to $1.2 billion over the next three years.  Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow spoke at Queen’s Park on Monday to announce the deal.
“It is a great morning, I am thrilled to be here alongside Mayor Chow,” Ford told reporters, unveiling the “game-changing, historic” new deal.The funds will dedicate $330 million for new subway-integrated provincial transit projects, such as the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and the Finch West LRT.
A hug from Doug. The premier and mayor embrace their new deal.
There is a one time funding of $300 million to increase the number police officers on transit and expand cellular data service on board TTC subways. Fifty five new subway trains will also be added to Line 2 with a budget of over $750 million.
The deal also includes $600 million to support shelters and homelessness. That money however is conditional on federal support for refugee and asylum claimants. The province also promises to provide more housing on provincially owned land.
Chow said that as a result of the province’s new commitments, “the city will be able to spend millions more on affordable housing, fixing transit and build communities,” and offer hope to residents who are struggling.
The province will take over the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway maintenance.  In exchange for this, the city of Toronto “accepted” the province's full control over the planning of the redevelopment of Ontario Place.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he did not want to take control of the two roads but that it was the right thing to do.
“If anyone thinks I want the DVP or the Gardiner, no, I don’t,” he said Monday. “But that’s how responsibility works.”

 

Mayor Oliva Chow to give up on campaign promise

Broken promises

by Rostine Vahid

After making it clear in her campaign Mayor Chow was against the proposed spa and waterpark at Ontario Place she has taken a step back in her fight against it in a bid to help the city. The City of Toronto and the Ontario government have come together to solve the city's biggest issue... struggling finances. The deal that was announced today would see Toronto upload control of the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway to the province. The deal would provide the city with up to 1.2 billion in operating costs over the next three years.

What was the reason?

Mayor Chow's reasons were clear for this decision in a press conference today she said “The city will be able to spend billions more on affordable housing, fixing transit and building communities with all the things we love in the neighbourhoods, whether it’s community centres, libraries, parks and all those things where people gather and where they feel they belong,” Chow said after being questioned on her change in tune about the Ontario place development. It is yet to been seen what people who supported Mayor Chow in her fight to stop the construction of Ontario place feel about this new deal but Chow seems to believe the benefits out way the cost of giving up on Ontario place.

 

Another place of conflict for the Ontario place was the proposed underground parking lot for the spa. Mayor Chow was clear that she is still going to try and work with Ford about moving the parking lot across the street to Exhibition Place.  This would open the existing parking lot for public use.  Ford seemed open to this idea saying “I’m pretty open to making changes and making sure everyone’s half happy "A step in furthering the partnership between the city and the province.

 

Another Toronto landmark the Science Centre was also discussed in this deal with both parties saying that they will try and find a way to keep the existing Science Centre in the neighbourhood that it has been in since 1969.

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