TTC proves to be key issue in city election
Posted September 14, 2010 3:34 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Premier McGuinty is refusing to get caught up in the “what happens” debate if David Miller’s transit city plan is scrapped by Toronto’s next mayor.
Most of the leading candidates in the Toronto mayor’s race would gut David Miller’s transit city plan but they’d have to convince the province to redirect its $8.15-billion contribution.
George Smitherman, Rocco Rossi and Rob Ford said they would scrap some of the new streetcar lines in favour of new subways.
McGuinty said the province has paid for a plan that’s already agreed on by Toronto city council.
“It’s a healthy debate that is taking place, various candidates putting forward different kind of proposals. I think that’s a good thing and it gives voters the opportunity to consider different possibilities. We’ve got to stick to the plan that’s in place right now, which is transit city in combination with Metrolinx. We’re going to keep moving forward on that.”
Ontario has committed over $8.15-billion for the four light rail projects including the Sheppard East LRT, Finch West LRT, Eglinton Crosstown LRT and a new Scarborough LRT to replace the current Scarborough RT.
The province has also given the TTC $84-million dollars, $68-million of which has already been spent.
