Road tax needed to solve GTA gridlock, McCallion says

Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion says the Ontario government must consider some form of tax to pay for badly needed improvements to roads in the Greater Toronto Area.

McCallion complains she got stuck in traffic on her way into downtown Toronto for a meeting with Premier Dalton McGuinty, and says area roads need $50 billion in repairs and upgrades.

She wants GTA mayors to get together and work with the province to convince people they will have to pay to deal with congestion.

McCallion says there must be some tax implemented if people ever hope to see an end to gridlock.

McCallion says tolls would be too hard to implement on existing roads and highways, but all other options should be considered, including a vehicle registration tax like one Toronto just scrapped.

The veteran mayor also says there is no undeveloped land, public or private, left in Mississauga for a casino.

She scolded reporters for repeatedly asking about a casino when she wanted to talk about the congestion on local highways.