Councilors Want TTC to Take Charge of LRT Lines

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Two of Toronto’s city councilors are planning to pursue a motion next week which will attempt to take
charge of the new LRT lines away from the province. The councilors, Joe Mihevc and Gord Perks, are on
the move to convince city council for adopting a position on allowing the future LRT lines on Shepperd,
Finch and Eglinton, and the Scarborough LRT project, to be handled by the Toronto Transit Commission.
This motion is planned to be discussed on the 2nd of October during the next meeting of city council.

The transit agency of the province, Metrolinx, declared earlier this week that it will take over the
running and upholding the lines. This motion has been brought under process as the councilors are
concerned that Metrolinx is not capable enough to do the job. Mr. Perks stated that “If we’re going to
deliver high quality transit to Torontonians, then the TTC needs to do it.” He also mentioned that “the
province isn’t capable.”

In response to this motion the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, Bob Chiarelli stated “that
negotiation is virtually complete and must be allowed to conclude without interference in order to avoid
cost escalation.” He added that “the people of Toronto want to see shovels in the ground, not more
unnecessary debate and delay.”

Councillor Perks also notified that the working of Metrolinx, which is bound to include a private operator
for the line, will not give fair fare to Toronto. He said that “I think that the Province of Ontario should
have learned their lesson from the 407, eHealth and Ornge, that contracting out public works leads to
disaster.”