Premier Kathleen Wynne says the need to improve transit in the Toronto area shouldn’t hit a roadblock because of differences between her and Mayor Rob Ford.

Speaking to a group of business and civic leaders Thursday about smart growth, Wynne said the discussion is bigger than her or any politician.

“Every time you make this about me versus the mayor . . . or one politician against another, the conversation derails and we find groups pitted against one another and that’s not helpful,” Wynne told the luncheon meeting attended by about 300.

It is well known that Wynne and Ford have polar opposite views on how transit should be paid for. Wynne favours revenue tools, such as a gasoline tax and or tolls, while the mayor looks to the provincial and federal governments to help carry the financial burden.

“I believe that you should demand that all leaders tell you their plans, all leaders talk about what their plan is going to be, to be able to build transit, to build a sustainable city. It’s not personal, it’s about our vision for the future,” she said.

Wynne told the crowd she laments the fact the transit debate is often reduced to taxes or tolls. She quickly added, however, she’s not about to “back down” from her position because it might be unpopular.

Wynne also noted that in order to sell transit improvements outside Toronto, the municipalities involved have to be reassured that it’s not just a downtown Toronto discussion. She acknowledged she is sometimes accused of being too Toronto focused.

“We need to make it matter outside of Toronto . . . it can’t be seen as a discussion that only matters to downtown Toronto. We have to engage people across the region.”

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