GraphicMatt
Looking forward to a FRESH START for Toronto
The federal government are the ones (potentially) being dicks in this situation, though there appears to be a serious oversight on our mayor's part as well.
As I understand it, several years back, the feds decided to come on board and fund the Sheppard East LRT in partnership with the province. After Ford was elected, he demanded that project be cancelled. The project complied and is now putting their Sheppard money toward the all-underground Eglinton project.
But the federal money -- which apparently nobody had really thought about until now -- is still tied up in the original terms of the deal, which appears contingent on two things: 1) That the money be spent on a project in the Sheppard corridor prior to 2014; and 2) That the money be part of a larger pool of money, with the greater sum coming from the provincial government.
So, yeah, Ford could end up costing us $300 million in transit money if he's not careful.
You'd think the feds would be willing to change the framework of the original agreement and allow City Hall to direct their committed funds toward the Sheppard subway project. But, then again, they may be savvy enough to realize it'll do them no favours to spend $300 million on what is likely to amount to a great big pile of nothing.
As I understand it, several years back, the feds decided to come on board and fund the Sheppard East LRT in partnership with the province. After Ford was elected, he demanded that project be cancelled. The project complied and is now putting their Sheppard money toward the all-underground Eglinton project.
But the federal money -- which apparently nobody had really thought about until now -- is still tied up in the original terms of the deal, which appears contingent on two things: 1) That the money be spent on a project in the Sheppard corridor prior to 2014; and 2) That the money be part of a larger pool of money, with the greater sum coming from the provincial government.
So, yeah, Ford could end up costing us $300 million in transit money if he's not careful.
You'd think the feds would be willing to change the framework of the original agreement and allow City Hall to direct their committed funds toward the Sheppard subway project. But, then again, they may be savvy enough to realize it'll do them no favours to spend $300 million on what is likely to amount to a great big pile of nothing.