TORONTO — Premier Doug Ford wants the federal government to partner with the province in the construction of several Toronto subway projects.
Joined by Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney, Ford announced Tuesday that he would broach the subject this week in meetings in Ottawa with federal leaders.
He's asking Canada to fund at least 40 per cent of four subway projects, which carry an estimated price tag of nearly $29 billion.
The invitation came as Ontario issued Requests for Qualifications to potential builders of the Scarborough Subway Extension, and the Eglington Crosstown West Extension with a planned connection to Pearson Airport.
The other two projects in the planning stages are the all-new Ontario Line and the Yonge North Subway Extension.
"I believe these projects will not only move Ontario forward, but will move the entire country forward," the premier said, adding "What's good for Ontario is good for Canada."
Toronto Mayor John Tory wasn't at the announcement, but said in a statement that the public is clear in wanting more transit sooner rather than later.
Tory said he will continue to work with both senior governments in expanding transit "to protect Toronto's success and to respond to the growth we are seeing as North America's fastest-growing city."
Dominic Pasqualino, head of the union that represents most of the workforce at Thunder Bay's Bombardier plant, has repeatedly cited a future contract to supply subway cars for Toronto's growing mass transit network as a key to keeping the plant open.
Bombardier recently agreed to sell its rail division to France-based Alstom, but the transaction still requires regulatory approval.
It may not be completed for about another year.
