UPDATE: McCallion Says A New Tax Could Pay For Infrastructure
Just when you thought your pocket book was stretched enough, the mayor of Mississauga wants to deal with congestion by implementing a new tax or revenue source.
Hazel McCallion met with Dalton McGuinty at Queen's Park today and says she spoke to the premier about finding a way to raise $50 billion for infrastructure.
McCallion says GTA mayors need to meet to figure out a way to help the province pay for road infrastructure and she says everything should be on the table. That includes income and sales taxes, as well as a vehicle registration tax.
However, she underlines she not talking road tolls on roads already in place, calling implementing that a major problem. She adds she has no issue putting them on new construction.
She says she will consult with residents on the matter.
As for public transit, she's waiting on a study by Metrolinx due out this fall that will deal with funding options.
Finance Minister Dwight Duncan is looking to the federal government for more cash for infrastructure and transit.
Duncan says he is aware of McCallion's ideas but underlines the province is already pumping billions of dollars into GTA transit. He says he wants to wait until the Metrolinx study is delivered.
PC leader Tim Hudak says the answer isn't to increase taxes but to spend the money the province has wisely.
NDP leader Andrea Horwath municipalities are struggling with transit costs and there has to be a partnership will all levels of government to fund it.