TORONTO — Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Toronto Mayor John Tory had plenty to talk about at their sit-down Wednesday morning at Queen’s Park.
What was on their list of to-dos? Pan Am successes, poverty reduction plans and, of course, transit.
Here’s what you need to know about the premier and mayor’s meeting today:
PAN AM GAMES/OLYMPIC BID
With the successful execution of the Pan Am games the pair responded to questions about the possibility of an Olympic bid, but Tory danced around a definitive answer.
“There are a whole variety of international events and sporting competitions that we are now in a position to host which is good for Toronto, good for Ontario and good for Canada and the Olympics is one of those, ” the mayor said.
READ MORE: John Tory says Pan Am Games have opened door for Olympics in Toronto
Although an Olympic bid is not out of the question, Tory says no decision will be made until after the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games are complete.
“The time to make any decision with respect on whether to go forward is after these games are successfully concluded.”
TRANSIT: HOV/HOT LANES, SCARBOROUGH SUBWAY AND SMARTTRACK
Other hot topics include the highly debated temporary High Occupancy Vehicle lanes that were put in place to reduce congestion for those getting around during Pan Am.
This big question: are HOV lanes here to stay?
According to the premier, there is no plan to make the temporary lanes permanent but, High Occupancy Toll lanes will eventually be implemented.
READ MORE: Testing out the Pan Am Games HOV lanes with rented passengers
“What I can assure you is that we have made a commitment in two budgets that we would implement High Occupancy Toll lanes,” Wynne said.
“Whether the configurations that have been put in place on provincial roads for the Pan Am games are exactly what will transpire when we put in the HOT lanes, that’s not our plan at this moment.”
When asked about HOT lanes, Tory said he wants to see a thorough review once the Pan Am Games are over before assessing the value of pushing forward with the initiative.
“I haven’t heard any announcement from the government of Ontario in respect with the when and where and how of HOT lanes,” said Tory.
“I’m just mindful that there was a commitment, so there should be no surprise to anybody.”
Other discussions include the infamous Scarborough subway debate.
The pair responded to questions on the hotly contested Scarborough subway line, but both were adamant on moving forward with the plan.
“The train has left the station,” Tory said.
READ MORE: Harper announces federal funding for SmartTrack transit project
As for SmartTrack, both the premier and mayor are pleased with the support it has received from the federal government.
TORONTO COMMUNITY HOUSING CORPORATION/POVERTY REDUCTION
The mayor was also eager to speak with the premier after Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s interim report was released last week.
“As I said at City Hall a couple weeks ago, that I think there can be no more formidable combination then for the premier and the government of Ontario to be working with the mayor and city council of Toronto to attack something that is fundamental to our ability to continue to build a society that we’ve been able to put on display,” said Tory.
READ MORE: City frees up more than $300 million for Toronto community housing repairs
However, no formal announcement was made on funding, with the premier saying poverty is an issue in many municipalities.
“We talked about that in the context of housing in general – the need for more affordable housing,” Wynne said.
“This a file in which all three levels of government need to work together.”
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