The city’s director of rail operations pushed back against claims political pressure led to the LRT being launched before it was ready during the third week of testimony at the public inquiry into the problem-plagued system.
“No, never,” said Michael Morgan in response to questions by city counsel Peter Wardle.
Morgan testified Monday about the rough start to trial running of the trains and about the loss of trust and confidence with Rideau Transit Group (RTG) being able to deliver the system.
“We would look at the state of the stations, the state of the fleet and none of it was ready,” Morgan said. “And so it became this kind of conflict where what we saw on the ground wasn’t matching what they were telling us. And so that was probably the biggest challenge for the project was just the lack of understanding of when the project was going to be finished.”
“How would you describe the city’s confidence at the time of launch of the system?” asked co-lead counsel Christine Mainville. “It was measured,” Morgan replied.
Two days before launch in September 2019, former OC Transpo boss John Manconi texted ‘cancellation of launch is not an option’ asking for plans b c and d after issues persisted.
“I don’t know what caused him to send this note but he’s always planning for a contingency scenario,” Morgan said.
Instances like a 10-hour radio reset and trains late to launch were among the issues prompting Manconi to text earlier that they were “stressing me out. Can you guys tell me if we were in service what would the impact be? Would customers be stuck? Transferring transit? Delays? Etc?"
High-powered consultant Brian Guest also testified Tuesday and was hammered over optics. His company Boxfish was paid around $600,000
“So at the time you got the light rail project contract in 2011, your bother-in law was the chief of staff to Ms. Schepers and your sister was working for Mr. Kirkpatrick?” asked co-lead counsel John Adair.
“That’s correct,” Guest replied.
“And do you agree with me now sir that the circumstances under which you got this contract at least raise some questions about how you came to have the engagement?” Adair countered.
“I don’t. I understand that’s what you’re implying but I don’t think there’s any substance.”
Manconi is set to testify Tuesday afternoon. The commission will also hear from the former CEO of Rideau Transit Group and Mayor Jim Watson later this week.
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.
Anne Heche has remained in critical condition since crashing her vehicle into a Los Angeles residence on Friday, according to a new representative for the actress.
The FBI search of Donald Trump's Florida resort is an extraordinary, historic development given that it targeted a former President of the United States and set off a political uproar he could use to stoke his likely 2024 White House bid.
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After ambush-style shootings of three Muslim men and the recent killing of a fourth in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Muslim community in the city is on edge and fearful.
In a growing challenge to Russia's grip on occupied areas of southeastern Ukraine, guerrilla forces loyal to Kyiv are killing pro-Moscow officials, blowing up bridges and trains, and helping the Ukrainian military by identifying key targets.
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The deputy mayor of a southern Newfoundland town says his community is running out of food as it remains cut off from the rest of the island due to the worst forest fires the province has seen in more than 60 years.
The number of people who are homeless in eastern Nova Scotia is rising at an alarming rate, according to a recent study.
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The Progressive Conservatives are set to re-table their 2022 budget today, nearly three months after it was presented to Ontarians.
A home under construction in Richmond Hill -- which is nearly twice as tall as the others on the street -- has heightened concerns among residents.
Montreal police say the discovery of a man's body in a recycling bin in the city's east end Monday morning is now considered a homicide.
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante has requested an independent investigation into the abrupt cancellation of the Montreal Pride parade Sunday after meeting with festival organizers Monday evening.
Quebec's chief coroner has ordered a public inquiry into the shooting deaths of three people, as well as that of the alleged gunman, following a killing spree last week in the Montreal area.
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A Toronto area developer and film producer has some big plans for a historic building in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
One of Laurentian University's biggest unions is considering taking some members of the university's administration to court.
OPP in Elgin County are searching for a suspect following a home invasion robbery Monday evening.
Police in Sarnia, Ont. are asking for the public's help locating a missing teenager.
The Progressive Conservatives are set to re-table their 2022 budget today, nearly three months after it was presented to Ontarians.
Provincial and territorial hockey federations, including Hockey Manitoba, are calling on Hockey Canada to do more to address its handling of sexual assault allegations in London, Ont. in 2018.
A Manitoba woman who abused and killed her daughter in one of the province's most notorious crimes has been granted escorted temporary absences from prison.
The provincial government has posted advisory signs at West Grand Beach due to E. coli counts briefly going above safe levels last week.
A local golfer pulled off the shot of a lifetime when he hit the perfect shot to win a new truck.
Hockey Canada has turned to the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASCWR) for help in training its athletes and staff to end sexual violence.
Student housing is hard to come by in Waterloo and new spots are constantly being built to address the need, but it appears some new housing might not be ready in time for the start of the school year.
Calgary police have laid charges in a brutal assault last month that resulted in a man's death, saying the victim and the accused were roommates.
Health officials have ordered a Banff landlord to clean up dangerous living conditions found at her rental home, where beds for 42 people were found.
Defence lawyers in Alberta will not be taking on certain legal aid cases over the next two weeks to push the government to correct what they call “perpetual underfunding” of the system.
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.
A Saskatoon woman will face charges in the U.S. and Canada after she allegedly transported her son illegally across the border.
On Sunday evening, people gathered at Kiwanis Memorial Park to show their support for Dawn Walker and her seven-year-old son.
One person is dead and a second is in critical condition after a police shooting northeast of Edmonton on Monday.
Canada scored three unanswered goals in the first period, including one on the power play, and went on to defeat Sweden 4-3 on Monday in the final exhibition tune-up before Tuesday's start of the rescheduled 2022 World Junior Hockey Championship at Rogers Place.
Residents in southeast Edmonton are concerned after finding out that a casino could soon be relocating to their neighbourhood.
A family physician in Victoria is asking patients for a monthly fee of $125 to access enhanced services such as longer appointments and home visits – re-igniting debate about British Columbians' access to health-care.
Canadian Blood Services is facing a dire situation, with its donor base and blood supply reaching the lowest level they’ve been in nearly a decade.
An NDP MLA from B.C.'s Southern Interior is facing a recall petition spearheaded by constituents who are frustrated by the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
An Amber Alert was issued Monday evening by Shaunavon RCMP in Saskatchewan for seven-year-old Luna Potts and eight-year-old Hunter Potts.
A Regina woman is facing three charges including abduction and kidnapping after an Amber Alert was issued for a two-year-old child on Sunday.
Three direct international flights are returning to Regina’s airport this winter.
