EON

Tornto (EON) – Pledging millions of dollars for public transit and revitalizing at-risk neighbourhoods, Conservative Leader John Tory looked comfortable as he spoke before a crowd of business leaders at the Toronto Board of Trade on Friday.

Tory reviewed his plans to revive the province’s economy and noted that a key part of that is a vibrant Toronto.

“Our plan recognizes the need to upload costs from the municipalities to the province. At the same time, I believe all governments must be able to look the taxpayer in the eye and assure them that every dollar is being spent as well as it can be.”  Tory told the crowd.

He outlined his plan to create new and permanent funding for public transit, including a pledge to increase new funding to $800 million dollars a year by 2011.  Tory says while the Liberals have announced a multi-billion dollar plan, the money doesnt begin to flow until the end of their mandate and its largely capital costs, not operating.

Tory also put the focus on at-risk neighbourhoods, saying that he will make it his personal priority as Premier to revitalize neighbourhoods that have been plagued by crime and poverty.

“I passionately believe that if Toronto is to remain one of the world’s great cities, we have to do a better job of addressing the issues of crime, poverty and isolation that leave so many families at risk.”  He said by giving residents a ‘hand up’ it will allow them to seek opportunity and help break a viscious cycle of poverty and isolation that keeps many from getting ahead.

The Conservative Leader also acknowledged that social service costs have to be uploaded from municipalities to make them more viable, and trying to make the issue of leadership a central campaign issue.

Source CFRB