TORONTO

The Toronto Argonauts should play at BMO Field, Mayor John Tory says.

Tory on Tuesday cheered on the prospect of the Argos moving to BMO Field and argued it would be crucial to keeping the Canadian Football League healthy.

“I believe that the existence of a strong franchise in Toronto is important to the Canadian Football League,” Tory said during an interview on the Macko and Cauz show on TSN 1050 Radio. “As much as people might say, ‘Oh the league can survive without Toronto.’ I don’t think ... well it could survive but it would not survive in a strong kind of way without a strong Toronto franchise.”

The ex-CFL commissioner predicted the Argos could be a stronger franchise with a new home in a “better-size stadium.”

“You get BMO Field renovated and have 23,000 to 24,000 seats there, it will sell out for CFL football,” he said. “It will become a ticket for which there is a demand. It will become the place to be.

“Let’s face it, no criticism of the Rogers Centre (but) you don’t feel you’re in the place to be at the Rogers Centre when there is 20,000 people there in a 50,000-seat stadium.”

BMO Field could be a possible new home for the Argos once the team leaves the Rogers Centre but no deal has been reached yet between the team and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

MLSE’s $120-million renovation of BMO Field — that would make it ready to host football — is underway but still needs $10 million from the federal government.

Tory said he was optimistic the rest of the money would come together and that MLSE would one day own the Argos.

“I think the Argos need it to get back on their feet,” he said.

But Tory stopped short of pledging more city funding towards helping the Argos.

“I can’t see saying yes to that,” he said. “What I can use is the mayor’s office … I would use my office to help the Argos in a positive, public-spirited way but I think we’re past the point where a lot of tax dollars can be used for that stuff.”

don.peat@sunmedia.ca