Toronto mayor calls for financial support fighting rising costs, in letter to Carney

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called on the federal government for support in fighting a "deepening" affordability crisis and investing in transit, in a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Chow congratulated Carney on his win in last month's federal election, adding that the city made "great strides" working with the Trudeau government and is "eager to get to work and build on those successes." The Liberal Party increased their seat count to 170, falling just short of a majority.

"Its a good cabinet that he pulled together," Chow told reporters Wednesday — a day after the new cabinet was announced — at the Palm House at Allan Gardens, which has been reopened after renovations.

Chow's letter highlighted several requests of the newly re-elected government including financial support in helping build more homes along with infrastructure for roads, sewers and parks. It also called on the federal government to pitch in on public transit and school meal programs across Toronto, which is the fourth largest city in North America, with a population of over three million. 

"Together, we can build more affordable homes faster, fight inequality and rising costs, and invest in the transit needed to get Toronto moving," the letter said.

"Serious consideration should be given to FCM's requests to find equitable ways to fund cities, or Toronto's previous requests for a small portion of the GST or the federal gas tax already collected from Torontonians."

Chow also addressed one of the wider issues plaguing not only Toronto but across the country — U.S.-imposed tariffs.

"In the face of [Donald] Trump's senseless trade war and a deepening affordability crisis, the City of Toronto stands ready to partner with your government, and its strong caucus of Toronto MPs, to advance our shared priorities," Chow said in the letter Wednesday.

A city staff report from March noted that with Toronto accounting for over half of Ontario's GDP, the impacts of Trump's tariff agenda were already being felt and will intensify. 

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Chow's action plan to take on Trump's potential tariff escalation was unanimously approved by Toronto city council in March. The plan — developed with a team of industry leaders — restricts the city's procurement from American companies, with some leeway, and also allows industrial property owners to have their taxes deferred should their business take a hit due to an escalating trade war. 

The letter comes a day before Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative government is set to release this year's budget.