Ontario NDP appoint David Miller as adviser to leader

Former Toronto Mayor David Miller has been appointed as a "special adviser" to provincial NDP Leader Marit Stiles, the party announced Wednesday.

Miller, who was the city's mayor from 2003 to 2010, will be advising Stiles on "crafting a new deal for municipalities," according to a news release.

"Every day in our cities and towns we see the result of Provincial downloading and interference — from decaying rural bridges, to struggling transit systems, to a lack of affordable housing," Miller said in a statement. 

"We've got a once in a decade chance to fix that with Marit Stiles and the Ontario NDP, and we need to take it."

The NDP says Miller will consult with local governments and mayors, as well as hold "open consultations" to discuss challenges and make recommendations to Stiles.

Stiles lauded Miller in her own statement, saying he is known across the province as a "foremost advocate for local government.

"His deep knowledge of municipal and provincial relations in Ontario and ability to listen and bring people together around a common vision will be instrumental in helping us to prepare for an NDP government," she said.