Toronto transit group gives John Tory low grade for ignoring election survey
A transit advocacy group is giving John Tory a low grade for largely ignoring a 28-question survey about his plans for public transportation in Toronto.
The TTCriders survey was sent to every mayoral candidate running in the October election. Candidates were asked to commit to a “yes”, “no,” or “other” descriptor on four main areas of interest: bus and streetcar lanes, fares, funding for the TTC; and a short-term solution to the 2023 Scarborough RT closure.
The group said that Tory’s campaign did not reply to the survey. Instead they sent over a written statement, and TTCriders used that response to determine where he stood compared to his competitors.
In the “Mayoral Transit Promises Tracker,” Tory was handed a two out of 28—the lowest score of all mayoral candidates who responded to the survey.
The two points were given for supporting greater investments in TTC operations and pledging to champion the expansion of Scarborough’s rapid transit network.
TTCriders put his responses as “no” for the remaining 26 questions in the survey, as he did not specifically address them in his statement.
In a statement to CTV News Toronto, a spokesperson for Tory’s campaign said they provided TTCriders with a “fulsome answer” when it came to the $28-billion transit plan for the GTHA that is being led by Ontario government that includes the Scarborough subway extension, the Ontario Line, the Eglinton Crosstown West extension and the Yonge North Subway extension.
“Throughout his time in office, the mayor has invested in the TTC's bus network, restoring 200 kilometres of bus routes that had been cut before he was elected and making sure the busiest routes were maintained during the pandemic,” Jenessa Crognali said. “He also led City Council in approving RapidTO - which rolls out dedicated bus lanes where they make sense and, where reserved bus lanes aren't practical, will do everything possible to speed up the busiest routes.”
“Mayor Tory is the only municipal candidate who will make sure these mega-transit projects get completed as soon as possible, and he's the only one with a track record of investing in and protecting the TTC.”
Meanwhile, Gil Penalosa—who is widely seen as Tory’s biggest competitor—received a perfect score of 28 out of 28 for saying “yes” to every question asked by TTCriders.
This included promises to oppose fare increases; expand off-peak and nighttime service; work for more funding to expand Wheel-Trans; and support additional routes to replace the Scarborough RT when it closes.
The next highest-scoring candidates were Philip D’cruze and Ferin Yusuf Malek, who both received a 27 out of 28 each.
“The TTC needs a champion who will rebuild ridership with bus and streetcar lanes, better service, and lower fares,” said TTCriders member Khasir Hean in a statement.
“It’s not too late for candidates to improve their score.”
Penalosa unveiled his transit plan on Wednesday, promising to build more than 60 kilometers of high-speed bus lanes across the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.