The Ford government is escalating its infrastructure fight with Ottawa, threatening to rescind support for a federal high-speed rail line after the Carney government said it would block the expansion of Toronto’s island airport.
The tension now places Premier Doug Ford in a multi-planed fight that pits his government against Prime Minister Mark Carney, Toronto’s mayor and thousands of waterfront residents who pushed back on the expansion plans.
Days after Federal Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon said the federal government will not pursue any plans that “infringe on treasured public spaces,” the Ford government fired back, chastising the federal government for giving into a “fringe group” of Toronto residents who opposed the province’s plans.
“If Prime Minister Carney and his team want to … if this is how they’re going to treat bigger projects, I don’t think you’ll get much built.”
One day later, after the Toronto Star reported that Ford and Carney struck an informal deal on supporting each other’s infrastructure projects, the province began casting doubts on the federal government’s Alto high-speed rail line project.
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“Public confidence in major infrastructure projects depends on meaningful consultation. In the case of ALTO, too many questions remain unanswered,” read a statement from 11 members of the Progressive Conservative caucus who represent eastern Ontario ridings which the rail line would cut through.
“If ALTO is to proceed, local voices impacted by this project deserve to see their feedback reflected in the project’s planning, route selection and delivery. The federal government must ensure that any potential future rail project minimizes impacts on farmland and is supported by the people affected.
“We will continue to stand with our municipalities, farmers, landowners, and residents.”
Asked about the statement, MacKinnon said Ottawa will work with Ontario and Quebec on the proposed Alto route and said the government will remain “sensitive” to concerns from the public and politicians.
“I’m very confident, as we move on, not that there won’t be controversy, not that there won’t be concerns, but that this is a project that makes Canadians dream, that will improve their lives,” MacKinnon said.
Still, Sarkaria said the province will continue to pursue the expansion and has “no intention to repeal” the legislation that allowed the province to expropriate lands from Toronto and replaced the city’s position in a tripartite agreement that oversees the operations of the airport.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow pushed back on the province’s position and said the current state of affairs is clear.
“Ultimately, who makes the final decision, the federal government and they’ve said no,” Chow said.
“The province can imagine whatever they want to… but for us, it’s a no because the people have spoken.”
87,000 means only sound 2.5 percent where against it. It’s more about votes in the upcoming by-election. We don’t.need a train to Quebec City either.
Very petty.
And not surprising.
I think Ford has added value and am happy he is taking the resistance to Trump.
And he has pulled five or six very shaky deals.
A “fringe group” of 87,000 said no. An ultra wealth, entitled micro fringe goup wanted it.
This is screaming corruption from Ford’s Government. Why is he fighting so hard when he’s getting so much push back? Who is paying him to keep fighting for this when the people have spoken?
Also, To compare the airport expansion to ALTO is crazy, because train travel is way less harmful to the local and global environment than air travel. Plus a high speed rail would reduce the need for more short haul flights to places like Montreal anyway.
Another Donald Trump, threatening to get his way. Why are politicians taking civilian decisions? Not good Mr Ford.
Doug is right! Nobody needs ALTO
After spending 10’s billions of taxpayer dollars who is going afford tickets, flying is going to be cheaper
And ALTO trains are not going work well in winter time
Did Doug Ford ever actually believe Ontario needed ALTO, the federal government’s proposed high-speed rail project?
Or was his support for ALTO simply a convenient way to get Ottawa’s approval for expanding Toronto City Airport?
But now that Ottawa has rejected the Toronto City Airport expansion, Ford seems to be turning against ALTO too.
What a coincidence!
Was ALTO really about high-speed rail—or was it just a bargaining chip?
I have to wonder.
Paul the runway already exists. Its been there more than 90 years.
Mike the “residents” on the island are squatters, thanks to Rae. The “2nd” airport is already there, so shows what you know. It is on mostly manmade landfill, and has been there much longer than the squatters.
Did he say, “A small fringe group from Toronto”? Please, how dare he. Let’s put a runway in his backyard. About Ford: Let’s not forget the live mic where he was %100 for tRump winning, all of those mocktails he put in corner stores and gas stations, the green belt, the Science Centre, the $100 billion dollar tunnel that will congest traffic for decades, Service Canada inserted into American owned Staples, and the $675 million foreign owned Therma Spa at Ontario Place. He’s a disgruntled maple maga business man. He went to Mar a lago to try to get a slice.
Holy Chow
A few people have spoken. Not the majority
“Fringe group” You mean the Mayor of the city and the residents that actually live on the island you’re trying to brutalize with your unnecessary 2nd airport? How dare they have an opinion on their residential space, the audacity!! How do we get a no confidence vote on an MP started again?
..lil ford is stamping his feet just like trump does…TO has an airport, improved transit service to it solves any significant problems. Ford just wants to have a premium airport for the rich friends while sacrificing the parks, islands and public waterfront values. Follow the money.
What a little cry baby Ford is, temper tantrum Dougie. Bye Felicia.
This is just great!
Carney’s way of building Canada
Dear John
You are right!
People don’t need airports , no trains no pipelines no roads no hydro lines no cars exc exc
Let’s get back to horses and carts
DisiIIusioned
“Start acting like a statesman, not a politician. Small wonder that nothing of substance gets done in this country.”
He launched the largest subway expansion in Toronto’s history, with multiple confirmed extensions and finally a downtown subway line that on day one will carry more people than Line 2.
FYI, the high-speed train is planned for Toronto to Quebec City actually, not just to Montreal.
Doug Ford is trailing in the polls and worried that he may lose a few seats in eastern Ontario because a few farmers don’t want high speed trains going through their backyards. Look at the big picture Dougie, a high speed connection between Toronto and Montreal is a good thing for the province and the country. Start acting like a statesman, not a politician. Small wonder that nothing of substance gets done in this country.
So if a few thousand oppose the high speed rail, it will not go ahead. Nope, its dam the torpedoes. Full steam ahead with a white elephant. At least the airport could make money.
I thought Ford was for the people. How childish and immature, these politicians act when they are told NO. Grow the f##k up. Like little toddlers when they don’t get their way. All politicians are only unified if they get their own way.
Stop throwing your toys out of the pram.
A lot of people in Ontario want that rail project and the jobs it can provide to our steel sector. Ford should be more careful.
Quote – Federal Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon said the federal government will not pursue any plans that “infringe on treasured public spaces,”
A nearly century old airport on man-made landfill in the most urban area of the country. And people believe this gibberish.
Carney lied. He was for the needed expansion of the runway, and then he flipflopped due to the vocal minority from the cottage squatters on the island
We need the longer runway and we need our 90 year old airport to grow as the city has grown.
Doug Ford is getting what he deserves cozying up to Carney. Carney is just using him for votes.
The people of Ontario do not need an expansion of the island airport. The people of Canada do not need a high-speed rail service.
We need an entire media overhaul….start with CBC and go from there