Regional transportation investments are vital in leveraging the Toronto area's talent and global connections into a prosperous economy.

That was the key message from three Toronto-area mayors at a Toronto Region Board of Trade (TRBOT) conference Tuesday on global trade opportunities.

Canada has a solid international reputation for being a stable, free business environment. But "infrastructure comes up again and again" as one of the key business constraints, said Ajax Mayor Steve Parish.

"That's leaving us far, far behind. Many people know what they see in international cities is far beyond what they see in Toronto," he said.

While Toronto doesn't have the political mechanisms to force regional integration, Parish said mayors have a big role to play in promoting their city-regions in the global economy. He cited as examples former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chicago's Richard Daley.

"If you look at Metrolinx in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, trying to build a dynamic transportation and transit system — they're underfunded. They don't have a government agency that reflects and has the full powers that are needed to put that into place. If we did have that, none of us would be talking about an infrastructure and transportation deficit. Major city regions we're competing with have that in place," he said.

"Transit is a huge issue. No matter what business you're in, your employees and goods need to get back and forth," Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey told the gathering of about 180 business representatives.

She praised Premier Kathleen Wynne's government for making regional transit investments.

"She a hands-on premier. We need to align our priorities with other levels of government. Otherwise we're spinning our wheels," said Jeffrey, a former Liberal cabinet minister.

She also praised Toronto Mayor John Tory (open John Tory's policard) for supporting the province's $1.6-billion investment in the Hurontario-Main LRT, which will connect Brampton's downtown with the Mississauga waterfront.

"Regionally integrated transit is key. Becoming an innovation hub as a region is key, having that talented workforce is a key, and I think we do, when I look at my city. We put a high premium on post-secondary education," said Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie.

The TRBOT summit also saw the Toronto region join the Global Cities Initiative, a joint project of the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase that encourages business and political leaders to network in the global marketplace.

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