The round table discussed homelessness and affordability, but primarily the proposed Alto high speed rail southern corridor, which would cross through Thurlow Ward.
“We spent half the morning talking about Alto and forgetting about what everybody deals with on a daily basis. Where does M.P Malette and where does M.P Kramp (Neuman) see people are living in your ridings today?”
Both Malette and Kramp-Neuman agreed that cost of living was far to high and that it was a major concern, which was non-partisan.
Councillor Kelly Henderson asked both members their stance on the Alto high speed rail project, which would move electrified passenger trains, as fast as 300 km/h, from Toronto to Ottawa to Montreal, going through the region.
Kramp-Neuman says she is opposed.
“With good reason. I think that the role of the federal government should continue to listen very clearly from the feedback coming along from the people that are on the proposed routes and to cancel the current project, as soon as they can.”
M.P Malette says he is meeting with Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon next week to discuss Alto, which is currently in the consultation window.
It is expected to cost $60-90 billion.
Councillor Garnet Thompson asked about the federal governments approach to homelessness, mental health, and addictions.
Malette says all options are currently on the table, but it is nuanced and complex.
“It’s a political minefield unfortunately for governments to want to walk down. (Mentioned hypothetically) Re-introducing institutional care for those who don’t by choice, don’t want to take part. Building those institutions, staffing those institutions. It’s a multi-pronged, very tough nut to crack if you will.”
Malette says they have numerous streams of funding that are available to municipalities to help support social housing and he says his office will work with the city to find as much funding as possible.
The full meeting can be heard below
