Mayor Olivia Chow pushed back Thursday against comments by Ontario’s transportation minister following the federal government’s decision to halt plans to extend the runways at Billy Bishop Airport. During a press conference Monday, Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria accused the federal government of listening to a “small fringe group in Toronto” when making its decision to stop a potential expansion. While speaking to reporters at city hall Thursday morning, Chow was asked by reporters about Sarkaria’s comments, saying that “a very large group of people from across Toronto” spoke up in opposition to the provincial government’s plans. “They spoke with one voice, and we thank the federal government for listening to them.” In July, Transport Canada conducted a survey that received 87,000 responses from residents in regards to the proposed airport expansion. Chow cited the survey, saying: “87,000 people in Toronto spoke up,” she said, adding that numerous residents’ associations from across Toronto spoke up in opposition as well. “That’s why we want to thank them (Torontonians) in the month of August,” she said. Free ferry rides for kids and seniors On Thursday, in a motion led by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik and Chow, city council passed legislation offering free ferry rides to kids and seniors travelling to the Toronto Islands in the month of August. “In recognition of the tens of thousands of Torontonians who made their voices heard, we’re going to make the ferry free for kids and seniors for the month of August.” According to Chow, the money for the program will come from Toronto’s Section 37 funding, which is a sum of money that comes from Toronto developers who contribute to the city budget in order to obtain licensing allowing developers extra building height or density. “We hope that families, young people and seniors take advantage of these free fares, visit the Island, have fun and see why this green space is so precious,” Chow said in a statement. Bradford questions timing Mayoral candidate and Beaches-East York Coun. Brad Bradford questioned the timing of the promotion at city hall Thursday while speaking to reporters. “To me, I think the right line of questions is: Is this a political move? You know, in an election season, I think it’s right that people would ask that question,” he said. “The more important one is about how we do government here.” Bradford then asked if the city’s use of Section 37 funds for ferry services rather than other services, such as the TTC. “Section 37 dollars being allocated to operating expenses like running ferry service, you know, we don’t use Section 37 to subsidize TTC fares,” Bradford said.
