TORONTO – The Ontario government is promising to invest $1.4 billion in a Scarborough subway, $400 million less than Toronto Mayor Rob Ford had previously demanded.
But the mayor doesn’t seem to mind.
On Wednesday, councillors voted 28-16 to approve a Scarborough subway line instead of building a light rail option, toward which the province had already pledged $1.8 billion.
“We will be paying for two-thirds of the subway costs,” Ontario’s Minister of Transportation Glen Murray said, noting that it works out to $1.4 billion.
The $400 million difference between what the city requested and what the province intends to pay could put the entire plan in jeopardy.
After Wednesday’s vote, Mayor Ford said if the province or the federal government doesn’t pay their “fair share” a subway through Scarborough is “not going to go.”
But on Thursday, the mayor’s office released a short statement saying Ford is “very happy” that the provincial government has committed to the subway.
TTC Chair Karen Stintz repeated on Twitter shortly after Murray’s announcement that the city needs $1.8 billion.
It would be in everyone’s best interests for Province to confirm their $1.8B before Aug1 byelections. Council said: No $1.8B, no subway.
— Karen Stintz (@karenstintz) July 18, 2013
The Ontario government says it is investing $1.8 billion, total, but $320 million was needed for improvements to Kennedy Station and various costs associated with changing the plan from an LRT to a subway.
During Thursday’s press conference, Murray said he “hopes” the federal government will pay for one-third of the project’s cost, suggesting that, otherwise, the people of Scarborough are being treated as “second-class citizens.”
The total cost of the subway is approximately $2.3 billion. Initial estimates, which assumed $1.8-billion from the province, suggested the city will have to cover approximately $500 million. It’s unclear whether the federal government will pay the remaining $400 million.
The motion passed by city council Wednesday to support the subway includes increasing property taxes up to 2.4 per cent and increasing development charges.
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