Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Toronto City Council Endorses Highway Tolls, Still Needs Provincial Approval

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Dec, 2016 12:12 PM
    Toronto is one step closer to imposing road tolls on two major commuter highways after city council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the project.
     
    Councillors voted 32-9 Tuesday night to ask the province for the right to impose the levy on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway.
     
    They also voted to ask city staff to look into how to implement the tolls.
     
    Speaking after the vote, Toronto Mayor John Tory said the tolls will help him fulfil his election promises to tackle transit and gridlock.
     
    The mayor said that while some may be opposed to tolls, the city needs money to fund transit and infrastructure projects and he will not support the alternative — steep increases on property taxes.
     
    Ontario's Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca says the province is aware of the city's decision but is waiting to see a detailed plan on the proposed tolls.
     
    Tory and four other Canadian mayors have argued that cities should have more control over revenue streams such as tolls, instead of needing approval from other levels of government.
     
     
    The mayor also said he believes Toronto residents will embrace the plan in the long run.
     
    "I'm proud to stand up and say to the people of Toronto that I came to office, developed a plan to build transit and fix traffic and how to pay for it, that I was honest about it, that I led on it," he said.
     
    "I think the people of Toronto will respect and support that and will want to move forward."
     
    Tory announced his proposal last month, arguing tolls have been shown to ease congestion and would help share the financial burden between all motorists who use the highways.
     
    He said the measures would raise hundreds of millions of dollars, to be placed in a separate fund earmarked for transit expansion and road repairs and audited annually.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Conservative MP Ed Fast Recovering From Stroke In Abbotsford, B.C.

    The former international trade minister suffered from the medical emergency Saturday at his home in Abbotsford, B.C.

    Conservative MP Ed Fast Recovering From Stroke In Abbotsford, B.C.

    Stories From People Who Have Lost Loved Ones To Opioids

    Stories From People Who Have Lost Loved Ones To Opioids
    A gradual surge in lethal opioid overdoses shows no sign of slowing, and some experts say the worst is yet to come unless governments do more to counteract the deadly crisis.

    Stories From People Who Have Lost Loved Ones To Opioids

    Vancouver Park Board Elects Green Chairman; Party Says Whale Captivity Key Issue

    Vancouver Park Board Elects Green Chairman; Party Says Whale Captivity Key Issue
    Vancouver's parks board has elected Green Party commissioner Michael Wiebe as chairman.

    Vancouver Park Board Elects Green Chairman; Party Says Whale Captivity Key Issue

    Convicted Of Killing Seniors: Travis Vader Testifies At Own Sentencing Hearing

    Convicted Of Killing Seniors: Travis Vader Testifies At Own Sentencing Hearing
    An Alberta man convicted of killing two missing seniors says he was humiliated with a strip search and subjected to horrendous conditions while in custody.

    Convicted Of Killing Seniors: Travis Vader Testifies At Own Sentencing Hearing

    Indus Treaty Processes 'Paused', World Bank Asks India, Pak For 'Alternate Approach'

    In a significant development, the World Bank has paused the separate processes initiated by India and Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty to allow the two countries to consider alternative ways to resolve their disagreements.

    Indus Treaty Processes 'Paused', World Bank Asks India, Pak For 'Alternate Approach'

    Canada's Top Doctor Gregory Taylor Retiring, Ahead Of Schedule

    Canada's Top Doctor Gregory Taylor Retiring, Ahead Of Schedule
    After a little more than two years in the job, Dr. Gregory Taylor is retiring as the country's top doctor, three years ahead of schedule.

    Canada's Top Doctor Gregory Taylor Retiring, Ahead Of Schedule