More Hyprocricy From Miller

His comments that people who questioned the improper tendering for subway cars should be ashamed I have to wonder why he doesn't feel ashamed for not fighting for the jobs of people at the aircraft manufacturer in Downsview. He is fighting the expansion of Porter Airlines tooth and nail and if he is successful, although I doubt it, it would me fewer jobs in Toronto.

Subway car deal OK'd by council

Thunder Bay build site

By ROB GRANATSTEIN, CITY HALL BUREAU

Mayor David Miller said the politicians who fought to take the TTC's subway car deal away from Thunder Bay should be ashamed.

"I'm shocked that there's even an argument about this," Miller told a crowd of workers last night.

"I think it's shameful to play politics with people's families, lives and jobs," he said. "Subway money should be invested in the families of our province.

"It's important for us to support Ontario businesses when we can, particularly with this plant because it has a 40-year history of building Toronto's subway cars," Miller said.

After his speech, Miller went inside and helped roll the $710-million subway car deal through council last night.

City council voted 25-18 in favour of awarding Bombardier the contract for 234 subway cars. The company will build them in Thunder Bay.

Almost half of the northern community's city council showed up to watch the debate.

The deal became a lightning rod of controversy when TTC commissioners decided to sole-source the contract to Bombardier rather then send the huge deal out to competitive bids. TTC staff had recommended going to the open market, but were overruled by the politicians.

GERMAN FIRM INTERESTED

German manufacturer Siemens had shown interest in bidding on the subway trains, but when the TTC learned the cars would be built in China, the politicians decided to negotiate only with Bombardier.

The cars will have 51% Canadian value. The contract will employ 300 people in Thunder Bay for five years and generate 2,485 direct and indirect jobs in Ontario over the life of the contract.

Many councillors worried the city wasn't getting the best deal because it didn't go to the open market.

"If we spend more than we have to in one area, it squeezes out other areas," said budget chairman David Soknacki. "We only have the facts of the TTC and on the other hand the facts of a disgruntled competitor."

The TTC has bought its subway cars from the Thunder Bay plant for more than 40 years.