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MAYOR TORY'S FIVE ASKS OF PROVINCIAL LEADERS

TORONTO NEWSROOM

Toronto Mayor John Tory is asking the provincial leaders of the four major parties to commit to specifically addressing the City of Toronto's priorities during the current election campaign.

In a May 12 news release, the mayor, who has confirmed he will seek a third term in this fall's municipal election, said he's committed to working with whichever party is elected to lead Ontario on Toronto's shared priorities, including housing, economic recovery, community safety, transit expansion and mental health.

"For the past two years, the city has been focused on responding to the pandemic, including executing an unprecedented vaccination effort and continuing to provide critical services for Torontonians," stated Mayor Tory, in the news release. "That success has only been possible due to strong partnerships with both the provincial and federal governments, as all three levels of government worked together to administer vaccines to stop the spread of the virus and to create programs that assisted local businesses and the most vulnerable members of our communities."

"Ongoing support from the province, in partnership with the federal government, is critical to Toronto's continuing success. I am confident that Toronto will continue to be the driving engine of Ontario's economy and our economic recovery. I look forward to hearing from all the party leaders on how we can work together to protect our progress."

Along with outlining each issue, the mayor's letter puts five questions to each party leader:

Will you commit to supporting the city's HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, and to providing $48 million annually in ongoing operating funding for supportive housing beginning in 2023?

Will you commit, together with the Government of Canada, to providing the city with relief funding to cover its remaining $875 million in COVID-19 operating budget impacts,

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principally for TTC revenue impacts and extraordinary shelter costs?

Will you commit to completing the four priority transit lines (the Ontario Line, the Yonge North Subway Extension, the Scarborough Subway Extension, and the Eglinton Crosstown West) and working with us to continue our transit progress?

Will you commit to partnering with the city on our SafeTO Plan, including providing funding assistance?

Will you commit to creating a more robust provincial mental health care system? Please be specific about new initiatives and funding you would implement and cover.

Mayor Tory said he hopes to receive a response from each leader by May 24. The provincial election is June 2.

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PROVINCIAL ELECTION

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2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

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