Over the next week, the Globe will be examining some of our cities' key challenges in competing with other world cities. On Monday, March 28, the Globe's urban affairs reporter Siri Agrell and Carol Wilding, president and CEO of the Toronto Board of Trade, participated in a live discussion with readers, tackling the question: What's holding Canadian cities back?
Here's a quote from the Toronto Board of Trade's recent report, 'Toronto as a Global City: The Third Scorecard on Prosperity:'
"Toronto remains a good place to live, and there are many reasons to think we can become the best place to live...The results of both the Economy and Labour Attractiveness domains underscore a fundamental problem of chronic under-investment in public transit infrastructure and venture capital, contributing to lacklustre productivity growth."
And, to tell us about your nightmare commute, e-mail us at TorontoReaders@globeandmail.com
Here's a transcript of that discussion:
Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Hi everyone. The chat will begin in a few minutes, but in the meantime, feel free to start leaving your questions.
Joining us today will be the Globe's urban affairs reporter Siri Agrell, and Carol Wilding, president and CEO of the Toronto Board of Trade. They'll be talking about a recent Toronto Board of Trade report that discusses key problems facing Canadian cities. Here's a link to Siri's story on the report: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/transit-problems-across-canada-prompt-calls-for-politicians-to-address-issue/article1957897/
Siri Agrell: Hi everyone, I'm here.
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] Hello everyone, thank you for joining us today.
Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: That last comment - "Guest", was actually Carol Wilding.
Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Let's launch right into the first reader question. Here's one from AndreDarmanin:
[Comment From AndreDarmaninAndreDarmanin: ] I remember Judy Sgro released an Urban Strategy for the country. Obviously it wasn't applied. I believe Ignatieff has already mentioned transit as part of his strategy, I think he needs to do more, as should the other candidates? Thoughts?
Siri Agrell: I definitely think all the parties need to be talking more directly about cities. How about an election that's actually about something?!
Carol Wilding: Couldn't agree more. Cities need to figure prominently in the election. We've joined with chambers across to ensure the urban agenda is part of this federal election.
Siri Agrell: Carol, were you pleased to hear Mr. Ignatieff speak about transit this morning in Toronto?
Carol Wilding: Any time any leader speaks about investing in transit, we're pleased. We need a national transit strategy within a larger national urban strategy.
Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: An interesting question from one of our readers. Carol, Siri, what are your thoughts on this:
[Comment From DavidDavid: ] City planning and transit I live in Ottawa and they keep wanting to build out not up making transit more expensive. We need more compact cities
Siri Agrell: David, I think you're absolutely right. All of the most interesting planning in cities around the world, as far as I'm concerned, has to do with density. Making cities more efficient, not expanding continually into the suburbs. How can we be smarter about where things go and how we use the resources we already have. It always amazes me when these new subdivisions are planned without any bus routes or transit access. It just makes the problem worse.
Carol Wilding: Density and intensification around transport hubs is definitely important. Ultimately, we need funding to be secure and in place or it's just rhetoric.
Ann Hui, Globe and Mail: Speaking of funding, here's a question about just that:
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] Cities are where 80% of us live. Why are we not hearing any discussion around long term infrastructure strategies for cities or new funding formulas beyond property taxes and user fees for cities? The Gas Tax though important is not enough and has not grown with inflation.
