“Funny how they can buy multimillion-dollar buildings but can’t pay their DCs (development charges) or stormwater charges,” said Ward 5 Coun. Carolyn Parrish.

In December, Parrish moved a motion at council to halt negotiations between the city and the GTAA on the proposed transit hub until a memorandum of understanding (MOU) is reached addressing a number of outstanding issues.

The two parties have been locked in bitter disputes over payment of development charges, stormwater fees, the value of payments-in-lieu-of-taxes and the GTAA’s alleged noncompliance with the city’s development processes.

The GTAA has committed to hammering out an MOU with the city sometime this year.

"Knowing that transit is one of the biggest priorities for residents, we will continue to push ahead with other municipalities and levels of government to move the transit agenda forward," said GTAA spokesperson Beverly McDonald.

Parrish is also concerned about the potential loss of property taxes if the GTAA opts to transfer the International Centre lands to the crown.

The facility ownership paid $675,910 in property taxes in 2017. With federally owned lands exempt from paying municipal taxes, the city and the Region of Peel could be hit with a substantial loss.

“Before anything is constructed on those lands — be it a transit hub or any other building — there is a lot of consultation that the GTAA must do with the city, the region, and residents,” stressed Crombie. “It is our goal to reach an MOU with the GTAA so that we will be consulted on any development plans they may have.”