FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Transit rider groups condemn “reckless” upload legislation
May 2, 2019 (Toronto, ON) – Transit advocacy organizations TTCriders and Scarborough Transit Action are condemning legislation introduced by the provincial government to take over parts of Toronto’s transit system.
“Premier Ford’s transit takeover only means more delays,” said TTCriders spokesperson Shelagh Pizey-Allen. “The province is recklessly ripping up plans that are already in motion, cutting $1.1 billion to the TTC, and leaves Eglinton East and Waterfront LRTs off the map.”
“The only people who stand to benefit from Premier Ford’s plan are developers, who will get handed public land on top of stations,” said Pizey-Allen. “Transit riders will face more breakdowns and delays as critical maintenance work and new transit lines get pushed back or cancelled.”
Premier Ford is pushing through his TTC takeover plan without promised consultations. Toronto City Council voted on March 27, 2019 to hold public consultations about the province’s plan. The consultations have not yet begun. In December 2018, City Council voted to engage with the Province in talks, subject to a Terms of Reference that included public consultations.
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CONTACT: Shelagh Pizey-Allen, [email protected]
Toronto City Manager’s Report on “Engagement with the Province on Toronto’s Transit System”: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-130593.pdf
Terms of Reference: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2019/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-130761.pdf
The ToR includes the following agreement: “The parties acknowledge that meaningful public consultation is a required input to effective decision-making. To that end, during the process, the parties will conduct consultation with the public, including other key stakeholders.”