TheTigerMaster
Superstar
Kathleen Wynne was elected Premier of Ontario on the weekend and she has already begun talking transit:
I hate to use the TO Sun as a source, but they were the only one reporting on this.
Anyways, Wynne was by far the most pro-transit candidate and if she can avoid another election she may be able to do great things for transit in the GTHA. Any ideas on what her election means for transit?
TORONTO - Toronto could be on track for new transit tolls or taxes with incoming Premier Kathleen Wynne in charge.
Wynne blitzed radio stations Monday morning and made it clear she's prepared to support new revenue tools for transit, won't let a casino be imposed on a municipality that doesn't want it and is willing to work with Mayor Rob Ford.
Asked about transit funding on CBC's Metro Morning, Wynne stressed the province is "playing catch-up" on investing in transit.
"If we can now understand that there are going to have to be new revenue tools, that we are going to have find a way to create a revenue stream because we can't balance the budget at the provincial level and build all the transit that is needed in the GTHA and beyond - we can't do that without new revenue streams."
Wynne wasn't ruling out any revenue tools including road tolls, parking levy or dedicated transit tax.
"In my leadership bid, I talked about them up front," she said. "I was elected as the leader and will be the premier with everyone knowing that I'm prepared to take that political risk in order to build transit."
Mayor Rob Ford said Sunday he hopes to speak with Wynne about funding for new subways in Toronto. Wynne said she plans to speak to Ford soon.
"I will be reaching out to him as soon as I can," she said.
"I want us to have an open dialogue, I want there to be an open channel."
During an interview on KiSS 92.5, Wynne was optimistic she could work with Ford.
"We will find a way to work together going forward," she said, adding it was important the premier have a good relationship with all of the mayors.
Asked how she, as the province's first openly gay premier, could have a good relationship with Ford - who has balked at participating in Pride events in Toronto and has a rocky relationship with the city's gay community - Wynne acknowledged it could be "tough."
"It is hard for some people to come to grips with difference. I get that," she told the hosts.
"I hope that in my interactions with Mayor Ford and with all of the people who have trouble understanding that different sexual orientations are not threatening. I hope that we can come to some kind of understanding about acceptance.
"I would love to see Mayor Ford be able to interact with the queer community in a different way but you know I have to work with him no matter what his stance is."
Wynne also weighed in on the looming debate over a Toronto casino - repeating her stance that it is up to the municipality.
"Municipalities have to make that decision," she said. "I will not be part of a government that will impose casinos on municipalities."
On a personal level, Wynne did reveal she's "not a fan of casinos."
"I'm not a fan of gambling but they are here with us, they are here to stay," she said.
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/01/28/wynne-wont-rule-out-tolls-for-transit
I hate to use the TO Sun as a source, but they were the only one reporting on this.
Anyways, Wynne was by far the most pro-transit candidate and if she can avoid another election she may be able to do great things for transit in the GTHA. Any ideas on what her election means for transit?