Mayor Miller Wants One Cent . . . Now!

Mayor David Miller is stepping up his pressure on the federal government to give cities one cent of the GST. The campaign, which Miller has been pushing for some time, now has a website asking citizens to show support for the drive by wearing stickers and buttons, writing federal members of Parliament, and signing an online petition. With Toronto in dire need of financial help to continue its growth in a healthy manner, the launch of this campaign hopes to increase voter-awareness in a year that should see a provincial and federal election.

Here is what Miller considers Toronto's most critical needs:

- A national transit strategy to ensure transit is provided to support our growing economy and protect our environment.
- Ontario to take back the funding of their programs - specifically the cost of social services and housing that were once paid for by the province of Ontario and cannot be funded by property taxes.
- A share of revenues that grow with the economy.

Anyone with an interest in urban issues should read the "On The Record" portion of the site, which lists quotes from mayors, politicians, university professors, and journalists stating the case for more funding for cities. One cent of the GST would give Toronto more than $400 million in additional funding this year.

Image from the onecentnow website.