[Platform 27]

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1040495--federal-transit-cash-linked-to-transit-city-not-subway-mcguinty-says?bn=1

Premier Dalton McGuinty has responded coolly to a request from Mayor Rob Ford for quick help funding the Sheppard subway expansion, a project that was supposed to proceed without provincial assistance under the March transit agreement that killed the Transit City plan.

McGuinty said Ford asked him to provide some of the money — up to $650 million — that the province agreed to direct toward Sheppard if it had leftover funds from the $8.2 billion Eglinton Ave. light rail project it is responsible for.

“We'll take a look at the request. I think I've got a slightly different take on the $650 million,” McGuinty said after the meeting in his Queen's Park office, which lasted more than 50 minutes. “The memorandum of understanding that we entered into provides that we could make up to $650 million available once we have determined what our costs are associated with the Eglinton line. And it's pretty hard to make that determination at this point in time.”

Ford's request for provincial money for Sheppard again calls the viability of the project into question. He and his brother, Councillor Doug Ford, have repeatedly promised that the Sheppard expansion will be completed using only city and private money even though transit experts and their council foes have called that plan unfeasible.

Looks like Ford wanted to reopen the previous deal they struck, so that cash for Sheppard coming out of the old Transit City pot was to be doled out up-front rather than after Eglinton was safely in within the budget envelope. He appears to have been politely told where to go.

 

[Hipster Duck]

This is hilarious. Well, Ford seems to have a pretty cozy relationship with Harper. Why not just go straight to the big boss with his cap in hand?

 

[Northern Magus]

It's pretty clear to me that Mayor Chris Farley is in way over his head, and I'm starting to wonder if any promise or "guarantee" he makes won't shortly be broken.

As for the alleged budget shortfall he want to now gut services and city staff over, he could always charge road tolls, land transfer taxes, vehicle registration fees, etc.

 

[gweed123]

It's pretty clear to me that Mayor Chris Farley is in way over his head, and I'm starting to wonder if any promise or "guarantee" he makes won't shortly be broken.

I think people are finally realizing that slogans and grand statements are all well and good, but if you don't have the capital (political or financial) to back them up, they're useless.

As for the alleged budget shortfall he want to now gut services and city staff over, he could always charge road tolls, land transfer taxes, vehicle registration fees, etc.

Ironic that the same people that are in favour of raising user fees at libraries and pools are the same people who are dead set against road tolls (which is in essence a user fee). Oh the hypocracy.

 

[nfitz]

This is hilarious. Well, Ford seems to have a pretty cozy relationship with Harper. Why not just go straight to the big boss with his cap in hand?

Doesn't seem to be a cosy relationship at all, as the Feds are talking about cancelling the $330 million they promised for Sheppard if the Province doesn't come up with their share.

 

[gweed123]

Doesn't seem to be a cosy relationship at all, as the Feds are talking about cancelling the $330 million they promised for Sheppard if the Province doesn't come up with their share.

I can't say I blame the Feds, but I don't blame the Province for backing out either. It's not their fault that Toronto's mayor is an idiot.

If Toronto was smart, they'd use that $330 million to come up with a bus-based plan for Sheppard that costs $330 million. Assuming $30 million/km (a VERY generous estimate), that would get you 11kms of curbside lanes on Sheppard. That would be enough to get the line almost to Morningside, or to get to McCowan and then down to STC.

EDIT: From Don Mills to STC is only 9km. That amount of money may not be enough to add an extra lane onto the 404 bridge, but it would still be a huge benefit for the rest of the corridor.

 

[W. K. Lis]

Asking the province for money to build the Sheppard Subway extension, is the same as asking for taxpayers' money. It's the same pocket.

This from a mayor who avoids pubic transit, does not know the difference between a streetcar and a light rail vehicle, and needs an automobile to get a Timbit instead of walking to a library.

 

[nfitz]

... and needs an automobile to get a Timbit instead of walking to a library.

Which begs the question. It's a short walk from City Hall to Queens Park. Certainly more convenient, than going into the parking garage at City Hall and trying to find somewhere to park at Queens Park. Or 2 stops on the subway.

Did the media report how Ford travelled from Queens Park to City Hall after begging for transit expansion money?

 

[Marcanadian]

Which begs the question. It's a short walk from City Hall to Queens Park. Certainly more convenient, than going into the parking garage at City Hall and trying to find somewhere to park at Queens Park. Or 2 stops on the subway.

Did the media report how Ford travelled from Queens Park to City Hall after begging for transit expansion money?

To be fair, at this point, the public wouldn't be too keen seeing Rob Ford taking the subway. They'd heckle him for the entire two stops. He almost has to drive just to avoid the insults. That being said, Ford is still a hypocrite.

 

[nfitz]

To be fair, at this point, the public wouldn't be too keen seeing Rob Ford taking the subway. They'd heckle him for the entire two stops. He almost has to drive just to avoid the insults. That being said, Ford is still a hypocrite.

Miller was frequently seen on the bus and subway (he still is). Giambrone as well. The media gave the impression that these were the most hated men in Toronto at the time, and I never saw reports of this type of thing happening.

In the 1980s, after leaving Parliament, Pierre Trudeau was frequently seen walking the streets of Montreal - he'd walk to work rather than drive. Everybody who was there at that time, seems to have Trudeau sightings. Despite how much he was hated by many at the time, especially in Quebec, you'd think there might have been an incident, but I never heard of one.

I don't think that type of verbal abuse would happen.

On the other hand, Miller, Giambrone, and Trudeau, have the verbal skills necessary to answer a question they weren't expecting ...

 

[Marcanadian]

^^ Yes, but Ford is HATED downtown. He'd be skewered. He needs police escorts now at public events due to the death threats. Miller didn't have Ford's loudmouth, or the 'suburban way or the highway' attitude.

 

[nfitz]

^^ Yes, but Ford is HATED downtown. He'd be skewered. He needs police escorts now at public events due to the death threats. Miller didn't have Ford's loudmouth, or the 'suburban way or the highway' attitude.

He doesn't need police escorts ... other mayors have had death threats as well; they just didn't issue press releases each time.

 

[Marcanadian]

Well the police have to do something. They got a hefty raise from Ford.

 

[Northern Magus]

Speaking of today's meeting, I came across this leaked photo from it with Premier McGuinty looking on as Mayor Ford explains his newest transit scheme

 

[nfitz]

Speaking of today's meeting, I came across this leaked photo from it with Premier McGuinty looking on as Mayor Ford explains his newest transit scheme

Not Found

The requested URL /images/M/MV5BMTY2MzY0NDE4Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTkzNjExNA@@._V1._SX640_SY426_.jpg was not found on this server.