Federal budget 2017: Here's what Toronto is hoping for
Mayor John Tory says he's "cautiously optimistic" this year's federal budget will include major investments in affordable housing and transit.
Tory, who is in India trying to persuade Bollywood producers to shoot in this city, will be watching Ottawa closely Wednesday, as well as many on city council.
Here are four key things city politicians are looking for in this year's federal budget:
Affordable Housing
The federal budget is expected to feature $11 billion to help municipalities create affordable housing — though experts point out that amount wouldn't even cover Toronto Community Housing's repair backlog.
But Tory said whatever this city's cut is will be crucial to helping those struggling to find a place to live due to a lack of supply and affordability. The city has already identified land where it wants to build, Tory said, and new federal funding could mean work will start in the near future.
"We have developers who could get going on some of these affordable housing projects very soon," Tory told CBC Toronto by phone.
The mayor is also hoping the province will match the federal funding — ideally dollar for dollar.
"This is meant to be a three-way partnership," he said, noting the city is also investing millions of its own dollars.
Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam said she's watching to see if the federal government does something to address Toronto's hot housing market, and manage any potential "bubble" that exists.
"I suspect that there should be some big gestures — or at least I'd like to see some big gestures and moves from the federal government — to address housing," she said.
Transit
Toronto has several future transit projects to put potential federal investment toward, including the Scarborough East LRT, Downtown Relief Line and Waterfront LRT.
All of the projects — part of some $33 billion worth of unfunded transit infrastructure — won't be built for years, but city Budget Chief Gary Crawford says securing money for them now is crucial.
"That's what we need to do to keep the city moving forward," he said.
"If we can't get partners to the table, then we have to pay that full cost."
Coun. Gord Perks says while new funding is always welcome, the city needs dedicated funding for future transit expansion and operation.
Perks, a critic of the recent city budget, said both the city and feds need to do more to keep life in this city affordable.
"People in Toronto can't find housing. People in Toronto are frustrated that we don't provide more transit. And young families absolutely cannot find affordable daycare," he said.
Child care
Perks, Wong-Tam and Coun. Janet Davis all say they're hoping the government will unveil a national child-care strategy that could help cut down on the sky-high child-care costs facing parents in this city.
Wong-Tam said an investment in child-care would show a commitment to women and families.
"If the federal government is true and committed to gender-responsive budgeting, it is an absolute game-changer," Wong-Tam said.
Toronto parents currently pay the highest daycare fees in the country.
"It has to get fixed," Davis said.
Immigration
Tory has already sought more federal funding to deal with an influx of refugees arriving in the city in recent months, plus the thousands, including many Syrians, who have been in Toronto for around a year.
The mayor said he's "confident" most who land here will be successful, but said they need "good, solid support in order to get a good start on their new life in Canada."
In a Facebook post outlining his hopes for the budget, Tory also condemned a "growing anti-immigrant sentiment" that appears to be taking root in Canada. The post calls on all governments to do more to explain that immigration isn't a threat, but instead a beneficial investment.
