City staff were aware of reliability issues with Ottawa light rail transit system before launch
The ninth day of Ottawa’s light rail transit public inquiry revealed that city staff were aware of reliability issues with the system before the launch in September 2019.
The admission was made during testimony from city staff member, Richard Holder, on Thursday.
"The city knew there were reliability issues that could interfere with the provision of reliable service to the public," asked Kate McGrann, co-lead counsel during the inquiry.
"That’s correct," testified Holder.
Holder went on to reveal that there were signs the LRT wouldn’t operate smoothly after the launch.
"In July 2019 during the trial that you were running, when you were actually running the trains up and down the tracks, was demonstrating that there was significant problems with the reliability of the train track," asked John McLuckie, a lawyer for the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279 during the testimony.
"There were issues with the reliability, yes," replied Holder.
McGrann went on to question Holder on whether the city knew there was a real risk that more issues would be discovered as the system continued to run.
"There was a potential for that risk," replied Holder.
Holder oversaw parts of the Stage 1 LRT project working in the city of Ottawa's rail office.
Thursday’s testimony also highlighted how the city knew there was a shortage of maintenance staff as preparations for the launch were underway.
"The Alston maintenance team was understaffed at that point in 2019," asked McLuckie.
Holder confirmed this was the case and when asked about what the city did in response, he said the staffing issue was raised during the trial running period as there were concerns over the number of people to undertake maintenance.
He said the city moved forward with the launch in September 2019 because the team felt the project agreement requirements had been met.
When question on whether he or anyone at the city was aware of the system being not safe to launch or not fit to use, Holder replied no during testimony.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.