How Toronto's new deal is playing out

And Bonnie's bold play

Presented by Ontario’s Universities

ABOVE THE FOLD

THE TRADE-OFF — For all of DOUG FORD’s doomsaying about OLIVIA CHOW’s mayoralty, it’s been relatively smooth sailing for the Premier and Toronto Mayor.

The pair just inked a deal that will see the province take over responsibility for two costly major highways, in exchange for the cash-strapped city giving up its long-shot fight over Ontario Place.

To wit: Ontario will upload the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway (or “Don Valley Parking Lot” as Ford put it), among other things, to the tune of $1.2 billion in operating funding over three years, freeing up billions more for the city, which, for now, won’t have to deal with repair and maintenance costs. To see it through, Chow is rolling over on her fight for Ontario Place.

More from Global News: The corresponding legislation, tabled yesterday, would give the Ford government “significant new powers to fast-track the redevelopment of Ontario Place and exclude it from environmenta…