TORONTO, September 18, 2003 -- Although they differed on other issues, all five candidates for mayor who spoke at Osgoode Hall Law School Wednesday, recognized the need to extend the Yonge-Spadina subway to York University.
"I hope you all came up here today by TTC," said York President and Vice Chancellor Lorna Marsden in her welcome remarks prior to the debate, in front of a capacity crowd of students and members of the York community at Osgoode's Moot Court.
Candidates Barbara Hall (Osgoode '78), Tom Jakobek, David Miller, John Nunziata (Osgoode '80) and John Tory (Osgoode '78) all touched on the transit issue. Hall told the crowd she and her campaign team took transit to York for the debate while Miller, who is a TTC commissioner, reminded listeners he voted for the subway at Metro Council when it was last proposed - a decision which lost by only four votes. Nunziata and Tory also support the extension and have made it part of their campaign platforms. Jakobek, the city's former budget chief, said the subway should be a priority but only after council deals with its $2 billion budget deficit, which he said would take about two years.
"It's important that the candidates understand that the long-over due extension is a priority for York and it’s more than 50,000 students, faculty and staff on our campus," said Dr. Marsden.
As many as 34,000 cars and 1,000 buses visit York’s Keele Campus daily at peak periods. The Toronto Transit Commission has identified the need for an extension of the Yonge-Spadina line to a regional gateway with 3,000 commuter parking spaces north of Steeles Avenue in Vaughan. York is currently negotiating with the TTC for dedicated bus lanes from Downsview Station as an interim measure to reduce traffic congestion.
The debate, moderated by Patrick Monahan, Dean of Osgoode Law School, was organized by the Law School with the assistance of the Osgoode Student Caucus.
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