Rapid transit and poverty dominated the conversation as local MPs met with municipal politicians at London city hall Tuesday.
London West MP Kate Young, London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos, London Fanshawe MP Irene Mathyssen, and Elgin Middlesex London MP Karen Vecchio appeared at the Corporate Services Committee meeting. The four touched on a variety of issues over the meeting's two hour duration but no promises were made. Ears did however perk up when funding for rapid transit was mentioned.
"The exact structure of Phase two, where the bulk of the funding for rapid transit is, hasn't been set yet but we are at the federal level working towards a funding formula," says Fragiskatos. "Rapid transit is absolutely crucial to the future of this city. It's going to help London be an economic driver in this region."
His Liberal colleague echoed that, saying London will not lose out on funding to Toronto where people believe the vast majority of funding goes.
"We believe all communities need to get a piece of that pie," Young reassured councillors.
While the success of the local tech sector was touched on briefly, it became clear the topic of alleviating poverty was on the minds of all those present.
"We have as much poverty per capita in London as they do in Toronto," says Mathyssen. "We don't see ourselves that way but that is the truth of it."
The longtime New Democrat MP told the group there is a need to look at access to education and making post secondary school affordable as ways to elevate those living in poverty. She stressed there is a need for a national poverty reduction strategy.
Even though no new policy was hammered out as a result of the meeting, Fragiskatos says meetings like this are important in making sure London priorities make it to Ottawa.
"It's very helpful because city councillors are on the ground everyday. I'm in London three days a week and Ottawa four days a week so I need to have a very constructive partnership with councillor colleagues because they add a perspective that is absolutely vital to the policy process," says Fragiskatos.
A similar meeting between city councillors and London's four MPPs was held in September.