- How Liberals and Conservatives forced Toronto buy its own streetcars
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This is rich: Toronto's mayor refused to submit any proposals to the infrastructure stimulus fund other than his project to buy 204 new streetcars. The proposal didn't meet the criteria that all the other municipalities were held to: it didn't create enough jobs in Toronto, it wasn't "shovel-ready" and it wouldn't be completed in time. The criteria were set because the aim of the stimulus is to create jobs quickly, to offset the recession.
Mayor Miller decided to take the risk, and lost. Other Toronto-area governments grumbled that they'd been held to the rules by Ottawa, and didn't see why it should get special treatment. Transport Minister Baird suggested the city use the stimulus for other projects that meet the criteria, thus freeing up budget space for the streetcars. Miller insisted on doing it his way until it all blew up in his face.
So who does Jack Layton blame? Stephen Harper, of course. Because he "forced" the city "to take on debt" to pay for the streetcars itself.
Oh, and Michael Ignatieff, too, because "Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals are allowing Harper to get away with it."
An Internet Fisherman who uses barbless hooks and this one dimensional world as a way of releasing the frustrations of daily life. This is my pond. You are welcome only if you are civil and contribute something to the ambiance. I reserve the right to ignore/publish/reject anon comments.
clap your hands! Yippee victory for the tories!
ReplyDeleteYAY!
Except. There is only one pocket in my pants to pay taxes you fool....
Send this message to Miller. If I lived anywhere but Toronto I would certainly do...you new streetcars you pay for them.
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