The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 11, 2002 - 3 `We need sustainable funding system': Mulvale (C ontinued from page 1) assume the role o f coordinating transit following the demise of the G reater Toronto Services Board. Mulvale said traffic gridlock has been a major problem and there has been a vacuum in deal ing with transportation issues. "The public is quite right to expect us to get our act in gear," she said. "We experience daily what the problem is. It's critical to find a solution and we need a clear and sustainable funding system." The group wants a share of federal or provincial gasoline taxes so it can have more secure funding for transit. This type o f tax sharing occurs in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, Mulvale noted. "We're talking about seamless movement for those taking mass transit," she said. "It helps in gridlock, financial and lifestyle term s." The mayors agreed to have staff jointly explore an integrated fare system using advanced fare collection technology. A p plication for funding will be made through GTIP. GO Transit and other m unici palities will be invited to join the group as it continues to explore opportunities. "We're grateful for the GO service, but it's so inadequately funded," said Mulvale. The province announced L e a d e rs h ip h o p e fu ls h e re The Ontario Progressive Conser vative Party leadership race heats up in Oakville next week as three contenders come to town to meet the public and party faithful. Former Finance Minister Ernie Eves hosts a free m eet-and-greet event Monday at the Quality Hotel in Bronte. The evening gets under way at 5:30 p.m. when Eves will meet the public and make a short address to those in attendance. The Quality Hotel is located on Bronte Road, just south of the QEW. Light refreshments will be served. Current Finance M inister Jim Flaherty is in town on Sunday at an Erchless Estate open house, which runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is the annual Oakville Provincial PC Association open house which celebrates the new year. Erchless is located at 8 Navy St. There will be refreshments and complimentary tours o f the museum. Health Minister Tony Clement, who was in Oakville just last week, is back on Tuesday night speaking at a dinner meeting o f the Canadian Club of Haiton Peel. The event starts with a cash bar at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. at the Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Rd. Cost for members is $28, or $38 for non-members. To reserve tickets call 905-845-2862. Also in the running for Mike Harris' position are Environment M inister Elizabeth Witmer and Labour Minister Chris Stockwell. recently it will take back respon sibility for GO Transit from municipalities and create a new operating authority to coordinate the service. G roup m em bers noted this realignm ent will im m ediately free up $100 million a year for GTA-Ham ilton m unicipalities with local transit systems. M ississauga's m ayor said there's a major gap in GO Transit service to Brampton and more service is also needed to Milton. M cCallion added the munici palities should have one voice when discussing transit with the provincial or federal govern ment. She also called on the media to publicize transit issues. "We've got to get the public stirred up to believe public transit is important for economic suc cess," said McCallion. "We've got to get people out o f their cars and into public transit." Brampton's acting mayor also supported the combined effort to improve transit. "Let's help clear the streets and the air in a coop erative manner," said DiMarco. Wade said transportation between Hamilton and Toronto is important for his city and the group's discussions were a great initiative. A dvanced fare collection technology used by Hamilton's transit system from 15-18 years ago is wearing out, so the group's program is o f great interest, he said. i v ? i w n Barrie Erskine · Oakville Beaver A group of western Greater Toronto Area (GTA) politicians, including Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale, met in Burlington Wednesday to discuss transit solutions and funding. "We experience daily what the problem is. It's critical to find a solution and we need a clear and sustainable funding system," said Mulvale at a press conference follow ing the behind-closed-doors meeting. Pictured above are, from left, Ham ilton M ayor Bob Wade, Burlington Mayor Rob M aclsaac and Mulvale. The caucus approved a res olution endorsing the concept of seamless and integrated transit service for their areas. O ther resolutions directed staff to collaborate on securing provincial and federal funding and to bring back proposals and terms of reference for integrating transit. 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