Raise the Hammer

The City of Mississauga believes the light rail transit project planned to run from Port Credit to Brampton will be a top priority for Metrolinx when it comes to funding.

City manager Janice Baker has a hunch the LRT, projected to cost $1.6 billion, will be at the top of Metrolinx's list because the municipality is being encouraged by officials to keep moving forward on the plan and because it has the highest "business case" rating out of all projects included in Metrolinx's Big Move blueprint. The Big Move is a plan to spend $50 billion on infrastructure and transit improvements over the next 25 years.

"But nobody has gone so far to say, 'And you're number one when the money starts to flow,'" said Baker.

"But I do have to think that part of the reason we're being encouraged to keep moving forward … and get the project shovel ready is because if we can get this revenue stream established, however the Province chooses to make that happen, we will be at or near the top of the list. But that's not a commitment, that's just an assumption on my part."

Councillors received a report today on Metrolinx's short list of 11 possible funding options. The report said the municipality is opposed to two of the ideas — using the property tax and transit fare increases — to fund transit and transportation expansion.

As Baker noted, those two options would have a "direct, budgetary impact" on the City.

Ward 5 Councillor Bonnie Crombie pushed for City staff to come up with some of the Metrolinx tools they support. Yesterday, the City of Toronto deferred a report that endorsed a sales tax, gas tax, parking levy and development charges as that municipality's preferred options.

Mayor Hazel McCallion said it's too early and more information is required before Mississauga can come up with its own position. The mayor said many questions abound, like how the money is going to be distributed.

"It's completely premature to take any stance until we have all the facts," said McCallion.

Earlier this month, the Mississauga Board of Trade held a meeting with the business community about funding options. Sheldon Leiba, MBOT president and CEO, said the general consensus was one of support for the fuel and sales tax options and highway tolls while they didn't approve of increased property taxes, payroll taxes or development charges.

Both Crombie and Ward 9 Councillor Pat Saito feel the City should work with MBOT to come up with a consensus position.


http://www.mississauga.com/news/article/1609438--our-lrt-is-top-priority-for-metrolinx-city