Despite election talk from Toronto’s new mayor suggesting he wanted to scrap the city’s streetcars, a union official at Bombardier says he’ll wait to pass judgment.
During his successful campaign,Toronto mayor-elect Rob Ford was accused of wanting to replace the city’s light-rail system, possibly breaking a $1.2 billion contract with Bombardier in the process. But Canadian Autoworkers Union Local 1075 president Paul Pugh said politicians say a lot of things during elections, only to change their mind once in office.
Pugh, elected to Thunder Bay city council in McKellar Ward himself on Monday, said that’s exactly how expects this situation to play itself out.
Pugh, elected to Thunder Bay city council in McKellar Ward himself on Monday, said that’s exactly how expects this situation to play itself out.
“Maybe after they’ve gotten into position and had a chance to look at what’s actually happening they have to reconsider to keep their policies in line with reality," Pugh said. "I don’t want to judge Mr. Ford at this point. I think he has to be given a chance to see what he’s going to do and then no doubt we will have comments."
MPP Bill Mauro (Lib. Thunder Bay-Atikokan) said the city of Toronto and Bombardier have a contract and to break that contract could cost Toronto taxpayers millions, a position Ford promised voters he wouldn’t put the Ontario capital in.
"It looks like there’s been a sober second thought taken on that position so clearly this contact is in place and if he were to renege on those contacts it’s my understanding that there would be financial implications for him and the taxpayers of the city of Toronto," Mauro said on Thursday.
The second-term MPP said he’s already discussed the issue with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and is trying to schedule a meeting with Ford to personally let him know just how important the contract is for the Thunder Bay economy and especially the workers at the Bombardier plant.
At the end of the day both Pugh and Mauro the decision rests in the hand of the City of Toronto.
