Ontario Premier Doug Ford touted the collaborative relationship with his “mentor” Toronto Mayor John Tory as an asset when tackling the challenges facing the province in the first meeting between the two since June’s election.
But on Monday, Mr. Ford only had pleasant things to say about his government’s relationship with the Toronto mayor, pointing to a strong partnership between the two during the pandemic. With an agreement in place at the federal level to keep the Liberal government in power until 2025 and a Progressive Conservative majority at the provincial level until 2026, Mr. Tory said the time is right to grow on the partnership between the three parties that was created during the pandemic. Toronto is still facing budget shortfalls as a result of reduced revenues and Mr. Tory said economic recovery in the city will be a key driver for the rest of the country.
A recent rash of gun violence in Toronto was also the subject of conversation, with the duo both calling for stronger penalties for gun crimes to clamp down on repeat offenders. Although a specific plan to address crime wasn’t presented, Mr. Tory said both levels of government have recently focused on ramping up neighbourhood policing and providing community supports for youth in an effort to address the root causes. Across Ontario, the government spent $187-million last term to combat gun and gang violence.
Lol
Fun meeting just talk about themselves the whole time.