Responding to Questions from the City Centre Coalition

1. Cities are seriously underfunded for the responsibilities they have been mandated. We favour uploading financial responsibility from cities to the Province for services previously downloaded. What will you do to resolve this longstanding issue?

The province must immediately assume responsibility for the full cost of social services. They should not be imposed on the municipal tax base. Municipal taxes currently have no relationship either to the cost of the service provided or to the ability of an individual to pay. Because of this inherent unfairness, taxpayers understandably put intense pressure on their councilors to eliminate tax increases. This leads to short term thinking on the part of city councils across the province. I am very interested in proposals developed by the Ottawa based Federation of Community Associations (FCA). As an MPP I would work hard for a full review of the provincially imposed municipal tax system.

2. We, along with other organizations, have filed a bump-up request regarding the proposed widening of the Queensway through various central sections of Ottawa. Our request is that the Environmental Assessment on the proposed project be done at the proper level of thoroughness in order to assure adequate protection of neighbourhoods through which the highway passes. Do you support our request?

I strongly support your request. The Green Party of Ontario is committed to cleaner,
cheaper, more efficient and safer forms of transportation. Ontario’s current transportation system is inefficient, expensive, polluting, dangerous and unsustainable. TheGreen Party envisions a transportation system that does not reduce our quality of life. Our Plan for sustainability would Divert 75% of all money budgeted for new highway construction until 2012 to public transit such as GO Transit, Toronto Transit Commission and Ottawa’s OCTranspo. This will fund the service improvements, expansion and infrastructure renewal required to create a world-class transportation system, relieve gridlock and eliminate the need for new highways.

3. We have asked the Minister of the Environment not to approve the inadequate Environmental Assessment done on a proposed project to build a highway through the Alta Vista Corridor – a project that would cause irreparable harm to communities bordering the corridor and to those downstream that would have the traffic dumped on them. Do you support our request?

I strongly support your request. Transportation systems must be designed to integrate well with the surrounding communities and bring us together not split us apart.

4. Very little provincial attention is paid toward promoting cycling and
   educating all road users about cycling safety. While the Ministry of
   Health Promotion pays much attention to helmet safety, such programs
   reach only people who already cycle. Do you support provincial funding
   for expanded cycling facilities and for programming to encourage
   bicycle use and awareness?

Yes I do. I am an active cyclist and enjoy cycle touring. It is a sustainable practice that enhances one’s health.