A new Liberal majority government could bring significant changes to the Greater Toronto Area, especially when it comes to increased funding for social housing and transit. Here is a look at how the change in guard in Ottawa could impact the GTA.
New GTA influence:
With a near sweep of Toronto and the GTA, Justin Trudeau certainly has his pick of local MPs to get advice from and there are a number of star candidates that could make their way on to Trudeau’s short list for his new cabinet. Former Toronto police chief and Scarborough- Southwest MP Bill Blair could be tapped for a portfolio in defence or justice while Toronto-Centre MP Bill Morneau, a well-respected business leader, may be a candidate for finance minister. For more GTA cabinet predictions, click here.
Transit:
Toronto public transit could greatly benefit from Trudeau’s pledge to spend billions more on infrastructure across Canada. Trudeau has already promised to kick in the federal government’s share for Mayor John Tory’s SmartTrack plan and has committed to expanded, stable transit funding.
Housing:
The desperately needed repairs to Toronto Community Housing, which as of Jan. 1, 2015 had a capital repair backlog of $896 million, would also qualify for funding under Trudeau’s infrastructure plan, Mayor Tory says. He adds that the Liberals have also promised to help the city produce more affordable housing.
An end to strained relationships between feds and municipal, provincial leaders:
As Harper’s decade of power comes to an end, so too does the bad blood between Canada’s prime minister and the premier of its largest province. Premier Kathleen Wynne has said she feels optimistic about Ontario and Canada’s future with Trudeau at the helm.
Mayor John Tory said he has an “excellent” relationship with the Prime Minister Designate and both Brampton and Mississauga mayors Linda Jeffrey and Bonnie Crombie have strong ties to the Liberal Party. The mayor of Vaughan, Maurizio Bevilacqua was also a long-time MP with the Liberals. It would appear that more cooperation and better relations may be on the horizon for the federal government and municipal and provincial leaders.
No jets at island airport:
Porter Airlines had hoped to get permission from Ottawa to extend the runway at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, a move which would facilitate flying jets in and out of the island airport. But during the election campaign, the Liberals said they would not permit jet traffic in the city's downtown core.
