May 09, 2013
By Scott Walker
Deep divisions on Toronto City Council are showing again as representatives debate funding methods for transit.
City council began debating a staff report that recommends a combination of dedicated sales tax, gas tax, parking tax, and/or increased development charges to pay for regional transit expansion expected to cost two billion dollars a year.
Some Councillors, including Frances Nunziata and Doug Holyday, says they’re worried the province is going to use Toronto as a scapegoat for raising taxes. If Toronto approves, they fear the Liberals will say they are only following the wishes of Toronto.
The staff report says a large majority of Toronto residents are in favour of a dedicated funding method. Plans that include a downtown relief subway line will require two billion dollars in new funding every year.
Debate on the issue will resume this morning.
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