Mauro challenges opposition on transit funding

An area MPP is defending the province’s decision to phase in transit projects following an opposition attack in Queens Park earlier this week.

MPP Bill Mauro (Lib., Thunder Bay – Atikokan) says the government is not turning its back on commitments made to mass transit projects. The defensive statements come after Ontario NDP leader, Andrea Horwath, warned in the legislature that changes to a TTC streetcar contract could threaten jobs at the local Bombardier plant.

"Ontario is coping with the impact of the global economic recession and that means we have to make some difficult choices," Mauro said. "Our government has decided to protect funding to our schools and hospitals. These mass transit projects will be phased-in, but they won’t stop. The government will provide more than $4 billion to keep these projects moving forward."

The Liberal MPP added that he believes the NDP’s credibility on this issue is weak, saying members from that party voted against the funding for those mass transit projects

"I think our government has a pretty good track record," he said. "Since 2003, we’ve invested over $9.3 billion in mass transit. Those substantial investments have benefited Thunder Bay."