No funding for LRT Stage 3 until 'we straighten out' issues with the O-Train, premier says
Premier Doug Ford says there will be no new provincial funding to extend Ottawa's light rail transit system to Barrhaven and Kanata until the city of Ottawa and OC Transpo fix the problems with the current O-Train line between Blair and Tunney's Pasture stations.
Ford made the comments as Ottawa's LRT system remains shut down for a third full day after a bearing issue was discovered on one train during a 50,000 km inspection on Monday. R1 replacement bus service is running with 36 buses during the morning and afternoon peak periods.
"I'm not happy at all; I've never seen more of a mess building a transit system ever," Ford told Newstalk 580 CFRA's The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll, adding he's in "constant communication" with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
"What we're saying is they have to follow the inquiry; there's 100 recommendations laid out and he's assured me that they're following all the recommendations."
In April, the city said 36 of the 103 recommendations from the public inquiry into Ottawa's LRT system had been completed or have been "incorporated into ongoing city policies for implementation into future projects."
This is the third lengthy shutdown of Ottawa's LRT system this year due to problems with the line. In January, the O-Train was partially shut down after freezing rain caused an ice buildup on the overhead catenary system near Lees Station. In April, the LRT service was disrupted for 33 hours following a freezing rain storm.
Ford says due to the issues with Stage 1 and the delays with the construction of Stage 2, he's not ready to commit funding to Stage 3.
"There's not going to be a commitment from the province until we straighten out Stage 1 and get on time with Stage 2, then we'll commit to Stage 3," Ford said Thursday morning.
"What bothers me most is the inconvenience this is causing the people of Ottawa and we'll be there to support the new mayor any way we can."
The Ontario and federal governments each contributed $600 million for Stage 1 and $1.2 billion for Stage 2 of the light-rail transit project.
Stage 3 of Ottawa's LRT project would extend light rail to Barrhaven and Kanata. The Barrhaven leg of LRT from Baseline Station to Barrhaven Town Centre has an estimated price tag of $3.52 billion, while it will cost $1.8 billion to extend LRT from Moodie Drive to Kanata.
The city of Ottawa has not secured funding from the upper levels of government for Stage 3.
Meantime, there are lengthy construction delays with Stage 2 to extend the Confederation Line to Trim Road and Moodie Drive, while the new north-south line from Bayview Station to Riverside South is more than a year behind schedule. OC Transpo is hoping the Trillium Line will open for passengers in the fall.
Ford says he has asked Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney to oversee work to address the issues with the LRT system.
"They're moving forward with it; I'm not comfortable but we're going to make sure we're going to stay on this," Ford said.
"I have asked our Minister of Transportation to oversee this – not, literally, the operations or the build, but to work with the city and help any way we can.
"It's a mess and we're going to be there to make sure that people are held accountable and there's accountability to the folks that are building the Stage 2."
As of Thursday morning, OC Transpo has not said when O-Train service may resume.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Three people shot to death in tiny South Dakota town; former mayor charged
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
'Son of Sam' killer Berkowitz denied parole in 12th attempt
'Son of Sam' killer David Berkowitz, who set New York City on edge with late-night shootings in the 1970s, was denied parole after his twelfth board appearance.
DEVELOPING Trump prosecutor focuses on 'cover-up' in closing arguments while defence attacks key witness
Donald Trump's landmark hush money trial turns on the testimony of a prosecution witness who told lies on the stand and cannot be trusted, a defence lawyer said Tuesday during closing arguments.