Chow searching for solution after Ford rules out new funding deal for Toronto
Toronto may have the same mayor, but it won’t have the same funding deal with the province.
Olivia Chow, the newly re-elected mayor of Toronto, has identified securing a new funding deal with the province as a top priority. However, Ontario's Premier Doug Ford has ruled out any new agreements, stating that the city must find a "structural financial solution" that can sustain itself long-term. In her first term, Chow secured $8.8 billion in funding from the province, but this expires in March.
Mayor Chow emphasized that while the province provided $9 billion in support, Toronto must be responsible for its own budget. She expressed her commitment to working with both provincial and federal governments to secure additional funding for the city, particularly in light of the current financial challenges. While Ford has not offered a new deal, he expects Chow to uphold her promise of keeping property taxes around inflation.
He also highlighted that the city should not rely solely on provincial funding and should expect investment from other levels of government. Mayor Chow has announced a hiring freeze and will conduct a line-by-line review to find savings amid a projected billion-dollar shortfall.
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