Federal government to spend some $12B on Toronto, Hamilton transit - CBC.ca

Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna said Tuesday $10.4 billion in funding will go toward four "shovel ready" subway projects  — the Ontario Line and Scarborough, Eglinton West Crosstown and Yonge North extensions.

The federal government will also help fund a light rail transit line in Hamilton's downtown core and buy zero-emission streetcars for the TTC, made at Alstom's Thunder Bay automotive plant (Alstom finalized its purchase of Bombardier Transportation at the beginning of 2021).

"Public transit is at the heart of an inclusive recovery," McKenna said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's office said it has been urging the federal government to invest in transit for the past two years. .

"We have been calling on the federal government to provide its fair share of at least 40 per cent of our four nationally significant subway projects for the GTA," said spokesperson Ivana Yelich in an email.

Mulroney said the federal funding is an "endorsement" of the province's transit plan for the GTA, which requires funding from all three levels of government. Ford committed $28.5 billion for the plan that includes the four subway projects in 2019.

This transit investment will help Toronto return to its pre-pandemic rapid growth, said Mayor John Tory, who acknowledged the city's "difficult path" to link all corners of the city. .

Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and private sector partner the Labourers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) both said the province's figures were overblown.

The Scarborough rapid transit line was originally supposed to be replaced with a light rail line, which would have been up and running by now.

Recently, the TTC recommended shutting down the aging Scarborough line in 2023 and use buses until the project is completed in 2030. .

Doug Ford championed the $10.9-billion, 15-stop Ontario Line, following his election as premier?

McKenna said these projects, now backed by the federal government, were approved by city councils and it respects local decision making.