Regional, Rational, Responsible

Three words to keep in mind as "OneCity" proposal considered

TORONTO, June 28, 2012 /CNW/ - CivicAction Chair John Tory and CEO Mitzie Hunter today welcomed the addition of the OneCity proposal to the Toronto region's transportation discussion.

"We need to give top priority to making it easier to move people and goods around the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)," said Hunter. "OneCity is commendable for its broadening out of transit options to include more transit overall and more subways, and for its realism in addressing the need for new, sustainable sources of money that are dedicated to making our transportation system better," said Hunter.

At the same time, CivicAction repeats its concern that this issue be handled in a way that maximizes informed discussion and decision-making, and that is consistent with the provincial agency Metrolinx's plan, The Big Move, and the investment strategy Metrolinx is developing.

Said Tory: "This discussion must be regional in nature because the problems and solutions are regional. It must be responsible and take into account, in an informed way, all of the available methods to raise dedicated money for better transportation. And the discussion must be rational, without polarizing views and knee-jerk reactions."

CivicAction sees the OneCity proposal and its property tax funding model as an opportunity for study and public discussion, but expresses the hope that a broader, open, more inclusive discussion will go forward in the intervening period.

CivicAction will play its part in fostering a regional discussion by creating a Regional Transportation Champions Council. The Council will launch a campaign to get civic leaders and their communities behind a vision of the region with an efficient, accessible, affordable, and connected regional transportation network, and the means to pay for it.

Members of CivicAction's Emerging Leaders Network are also incubating an on-the-ground campaign branded Move Me! The campaign will work with everyday residents across the GTHA to empower them as leaders to build desire for new, dedicated revenue tools to fund the building of new transit.

About CivicAction:
The Greater Toronto CivicAction Alliance convenes civic leaders from across all sectors and the region to catalyze change on the tough issues and big opportunities facing the Toronto region.

CivicAction's current initiatives are aimed at: connecting and supporting rising city-builders (the Emerging Leaders Network); making the Toronto region flourish through environmental action and innovation (Greening Greater Toronto); and creating a leadership landscape that better reflects the region's diversity (DiverseCity: the Greater Toronto Leadership Project in partnership with Maytree).

For information, please visit http://www.civicaction.ca/regional-transportation or contact:

Halyna Zalucky
T: [phone] x580
[email protected]