Email
Print
Feed
$200 million in savings in two easy steps- Funding for Leaside rink takes centre ice
A makeover for our green spaces 
Public opinion sought on video advertising
Dangerous drivers curbed in Thornhill
Creating a better Vaughan for the future
Creating civic pride in Richmond Hill
Plant a tree — with the town’s help
Reflecting on the past, looking to the future
Difficult summer for North York residents
Creating jobs in the GTA
Stimulus needs to come from all levels of government
SHELLEY CARROLL Ward 33 Councillor
THE PURPOSE OF the Harper government stimulus package for municipalities is job creation, plain and simple. Nothing will put people to work more quickly than Toronto’s proposed streetcar order in the magnitude of $1.2 billion.
The recent annual general meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) provided the perfect backdrop to illustrate how important this order is to workers and business operators all across Ontario. The specifications for our badly needed streetcar order have all been designed, and the tender has been awarded to the Canadian firm Bombardier, in Thunder Bay.
At the FCM annual general meeting in Whistler, B.C., councillors heard that the streetcars will be assembled in Thunder Bay and the parts will be manufactured at plants in the GTA, including Jim Flaherty territory. In the halls of the conference centre, councillors from across the country scratched their collective heads and hooted at the idea that any government wouldn’t jump at this proposal.
When Thunder Bay Coun. Lynda Rydholm rose to ask John Baird, the minister of infrastructure, what on earth was wrong with the streetcar order, he seemed not to get it.
He spoke about Torontocentricity as if he had not been briefed that Rydholm is looking for jobs for her constituents. Except that he has, on numerous occasions.
And what do I want as budget chief back in the City of Toronto? I want this urgent order placed with fair tri-government funding.
My fellow budget committee members and I can then turn our focus to the state of good repair projects all across this city that need our attention. That gets Torontonians working and gives you the city you deserve.
Advertisement
Home | Best of T.O. | Food & Drink | Fashion & Shopping | Deal Estate | News & Crime | Arts & Events | Kids | Classifieds | Archive
About Us | Contact Us | Advertise | My Account
Copyright 2012 Post City Magazines, Inc. All rights reserved.
Comments to the Post City Magazines website do not reflect the opinions of the company or the author of the article in question. We do not edit comments for grammar, length or clarity. Offensive comments will be removed at the discretion of Post City Magazines. To read all of our website policies, click here.