Toronto Mayor John Tory says while it's too early to know exactly where the city should stand on a potential provincial takeover of the TTC, he promises there will be conditions.
"There's going to be a red line vis-a-vis finances, there's going to be a red line vis-a-vis the operation of an integrated transit system, there's going to be a red line in terms of protection of our employees," he said Wednesday.
Tory's comments come a day before the deadline the PC government has given the city on beginning conversations with the transportation ministry about the takeover.
The move was a campaign promise by Premier Doug Ford, claiming the TTC would run more effectively and would open up extended lines.
"You don't want to draw those red lines before you've even had the first meeting," Tory said. "What is this uploading?"
"I think before we can comment on it, you have a responsibility to tell us what it means, what is your concept of uploading?"
While the mayor stresses the concerns, it may only be words.
According to the Toronto Star, a confidential document provided to city council this week says not only does the province have unilateral power to take over the TTC, it could offer no compensation and even leave the city with accrued debt.
Tory reiterated given the province's powers, it makes more sense to find out exactly what the provincial vision is.
Thursday will also include another major municipal issue intertwined with Queen's Park: marijuana dispensaries.
Ward 22 Cllr. Jim Karygiannis said Wednesday he would bring a motion to council that would give individual councillors the ability to approve dispensaries in their respective wards.
"If you've got cities like Aurora or other smaller cities north of the City of Toronto that are opting out and they've got populations of 70, 80,000 people, I've got a population of 110,000, I should also be allowed to opt out," Karygiannis said. "What's good for small cities should be good for wards in our area."
Municipal law expert John Mascarin said it's a legally sound idea.
"This is true for most development in Toronto, that a ward councillor has a very, very big say into how development occurs in his or her ward and I think councillor Karygiannis is just extending that to, let's leave it up to the ward councillors," Mascarin said.
But Tory doesn't see a way forward for the idea.
"That is also I think going to be a difficult proposition to sell to the province of Ontario, I think they've already said that they have a negative reaction to that," he said. "He will put his motion forward, it will be duly considered."
But Tory has pushed for city input on regulation, arguing the idea the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario can simply approve a license is inadequate.
"I think our position is so reasonable on that, especially in a big city like this, that I don't know why they wouldn't want us to have a greater say," he said.
Toronto's city manager is recommending the city not opt-out and Tory said it's been made clear that opting out now and going back in later would mean millions in earmarked funding to municipalities would be lost.
"They said no, once you opt out, you're out," he said.
Tory's comments came the same day that the City of Mississauga decided to opt out.
“The province has not given municipalities any control over where cannabis stores can be located in our City," Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said in a release. "This is cause for great concern."
"The City of Mississauga may decide to opt in in the future however in the meantime; we will continue to consult and engage with our community."
Municipalities have until January 22nd to opt out.