Harper’s failure to fund streetcars forces Toronto to use more duct tape on buses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2009
TORONTO— MP Olivia Chow condemns Harper Conservatives forcing the City of Toronto to take on $834 million in total debt to finance the replacement of 30 year old streetcars. This is needed to cover the federal government’s missing $368 million share. In order to save the streetcar deal that will generate 20,000 jobs, the City of Toronto has been forced to delay rebuilding buses, replacing the old Eglinton Bus Terminal, upgrading the fire ventilation system and modernizing the stations.
“Every time you see a bus with duct tape over the rusty holes, every time you’re piled into buses like sardines you’ll know it is because Conservative John Baird once again gave the political finger to Torontonians,” said Chow. “And Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals are allowing Harper to get away with it.”
The last time Toronto saw any real federal investment for public transit infrastructure was when New Democrat Leader Jack Layton successfully negotiated millions to purchase new subway cars for the TTC.
“Jack Layton went in and got real results for Toronto. Michael Ignatieff created a media circus, met with Stephen Harper three times but still came out empty handed,” said Chow. “Ignatieff is letting Torontonians down by continuing the Dion legacy of propping up the Harper government and getting nothing in return.”
NDP MP Olivia Chow is the member for Trinity Spadina and the NDP critic for public transit and the GTA.
Related
June 18, 2009 - New Democrats blast Conservative inaction on TTC-Bombardier deal
June 9, 2009 - Olivia demands Minister apologize and fund streetcars
June 2, 2009 - Olivia questions why Minister has not yet paid federal share for streetcars
April 28, 2009 - Olivia questions Minister on federal share of funds for streetcars
March 02, 2009 - Olivia speaks to Parliament about 204 new streetcars
Video: Olivia blasts Baird for lack of federal support for new streetcars
