An overwhelming majority of councillors has endorsed mayor John Tory's plan to use road tolls to pay for transit expansion and infrastructure.
Council voted 32-9 to ask the province to allow for tolls on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway. While they wait for provincial approval, staff will also work on a report that will detail how tolling could work.
WATCH: Mayor John Tory says council has given overwhelming support for a "real plan" by endorsing road tolls pic.twitter.com/oaXFTJsbyw
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) December 14, 2016
Mayor John Tory has been pushing for tolls and a hotel tax as a way to raise money for transit expansion and infrastructure. He calls tolls "fair" and "honest," by having all users of the roads, including those from outside Toronto, share the burden.
The mayor has said that a $2 toll could raise about $200-million a year.
Not all councillors, though, are on side with tolls. Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti and mayor Tory had a verbal match during the debate.
Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti and mayor John Tory sparring at council over road tolls pic.twitter.com/7SFr2L0YMG
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) December 14, 2016
Councillor Mammoliti has been the most vocal critic. Instead of road tolls, he says he would ask the province to take on the city's management of daycares and the TTC. Council voted against his proposals.
Council also voted in favour of asking the province to allow for a hotel tax, which staff say could bring in $10-million a year for every percentage point.