Premier Ford and Mayor Chow Continue to Invite Federal Government to Join Working Group
October 30, 2023 TORONTO — Premier Doug Ford and Mayor Olivia Chow released the following statement about the new deal working group:
“Today, we received an update from the new deal working group. Today’s meeting was a scheduled touchpoint established in the terms of reference. Together, we are making great progress toward landing a new deal for Toronto.
Over the last few weeks, the working group has met six times and developed a shared understanding of the city’s financial position. They have begun drilling down on shared priorities, including supporting transit, infrastructure, shelters and housing, as well as getting Toronto’s finances back on a stable and sustainable path. Over the next month, the working group will develop a set of concrete, actionable recommendations that will be put in front of us to carefully consider. We are moving quickly and are grateful to our respective senior public servants for their dedication.
As we look for long-term solutions, the federal government has an important role to play as well. Toronto is Canada’s most populous city and is the largest municipal contributor to the country’s economy. Left unsolved, the problems the city faces, including housing asylum seekers, spill over into the broader region. We continue to invite the federal government to be a partner in a new deal that will help make sure Canada’s largest city, and through it, the region, province and country, is set up for success.
When Toronto wins, Canada wins.”
