Behind the Headlines

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In March, most media outlets carried a photograph of six smiling politicians in front of a bus. Don't get excited; the bus was parked.

Nevertheless, the photo merits attention because it was a rare example of three levels of government co-operating. Not since the "three amigos" of former Toronto mayor Mel Lastman, Ontario premier Mike Harris and prime minister Jean Chretien graced our pages to announce plans for the waterfront, have we seen the federal, provincial and municipal levels sharing the limelight.

This time neither the subjects nor subject matter were grand. Instead of a summit, this time the photograph was of one provincial minister, two from the federal government, the mayor and two councillors. And instead of creating a joint vision, the celebration was over the remittance of an overdue payment.

Jocularity and bonhomie at such events is rarely genuine. Even though they did their best to fit in, one did sense discomfort from the federal ministers.

Maybe it was because they were looking out on a sea of invited worthies and transit workers who suspected the federal government had neither need nor affection for Toronto.

The federal representatives were not only a long way from friendly faces, they were also outside of their comfort zone. They were paying for a program for which the previous Liberal government received credit, and which benefited an area bereft of government members.

In terms of policy, they were even further from home.

The federal government survives by delivering small or muscular government to its western and rural base. With a belief confirmed by the constitution, the feds are averse to meddling in municipal matters. As the federal finance minister said, "We're not in the pothole business."

While logical, the policy is shortsighted. On one side we have three-quarters of Canada's population faced with urban challenges. On the other side there is a government with unremarkable political success in cities, yet having the power and resources to make change. With a little innovative thinking there is no reason that cities need to remain political deserts for the federal government. It can appeal to urban voters and still keep to principles.

Let's start with transit.

As the smiling politicians in front of that bus will attest, supporting random projects off the shelf wins few points and produces uneven results. Instead, the federal government could achieve policy and political success by getting provincial governments and municipalities to develop concepts that fit its criteria. Going it alone, as in the recent announcement for a commuter line to Peterborough, just invites ridicule.

On the urban environmental front, there are dozens of programs that would be both consistent with federal government perspective, and effective. From investing in Toronto's waterfront, to funding environmentally sensitive infrastructure that meets federal targets, to simply following the recommendations of its own National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy, there is an embarrassment of too many choices.

Sensible funding on the transportation file could revitalize the Gardiner Expressway corridor in ways in which a politically correct Toronto Council could never dream of doing.

The list can go on and on and on.

In short, there is no reason why Toronto needs to be barren ground for the federal Conservatives. Taking the first steps will be difficult. But the results will make a stronger country, provide better urban quality of life, and offer more competitive choices for voters at election time.

There might even be real smiles in the pictures next time.