After big wins with Ottawa on transit and social housing funds, the mayors of Canada’s biggest cities want partnerships on mental health supports and fighting the opioid crisis. Mayors John Tory of Montreal, Valérie Plante of Montreal and Gregor Robertson of Vancouver hopped off a new Toronto streetcar early Thursday to talk with reporters and look at the King St. transit-prioritizing pilot project. The trio then strolled to the Front St. convention centre for a full day of closed-door meetings with 19 other mayors from across Canada. Their Federation of Canadian Municipalities caucus has gained clout in recent years, amid international recognition of urbanization and the Trudeau government’s commitment to long-term partnerships with cities rather than the one-off federal pledges of the past. “Public health questions loom large because vulnerable populations cluster in our cities because that’s where our services are,” he said.

Source: thestar November 30, 2017 19:41 UTC