Justin Trudeau praises Toronto's response to Syrian refugee resettlement

Prime Minister Justin Trudeauthis afternoonpraisedToronto for the city's role in helping thousands of Syrian refugees settle in Canada.

Trudeau made the remarks at Toronto City Hallafter a 45-minutemeeting with Mayor John Tory.

The prime minister said the way the city has opened its "homes, hearts and wallets" for refuges fleeing the country torn by civic war is "acredit to Toronto."

Canada has welcomed more than 10,000 Syrian refugees, bringing the Liberals closer to their goal of resettling 25,000 by March 1. Thousands of that total have settled in Toronto.

The PM's praise came after he and Tory met to discuss a number of common interests, including infrastructure and transit, though no formal announcement came from today'smeeting.

Tory had praise for Trudeau, complimenting his work on helping the city findsolutions to its ongoing transit woes.

During the federal election campaign, the Liberals promised $2.6 billion for Tory's SmartTrack plan, which would use existing commuter rail lines to ease the burden on Toronto's subway lines, which operate beyond capacity at rush hour.

"This government is interested in investing in transit," said Tory. "I'm optimistic we will have a solid partnership going forward."

When pressed for specifics about imminent funding announcements that would benefit Toronto, Trudeau said more answers would come in his government's first budget, which is expected this spring.

In the hour leading up to today'snews conference, crowds filled Nathan Phillips Square outside city hall and the atrium inside.

Earlier Wednesday, Trudeau announced $20 million in government funding for a new cell regeneration research facility in Toronto.