McGuinty Triples funding for Ottawa Rapid Transit, Applauds Council’s Vision
Friday was a transformative day for the City of Ottawa, as Premier Dalton McGuinty announced that his government will be tripling their investment in Ottawa’s rapid transit plan. This brings the total provincial investment in the proposed project to $600 million.
This significant funding announcement illustrates the Ontario Government’s clear confidence in the City of Ottawa’s transit future. As your Mayor, I am pleased that the Province is on board with, and committed to, the transit plan that we currently have on the table - a transit solution that will change the pace and efficiency with which you, the residents, move around our great City.
Premier McGuinty also expressed strong confidence in City Council’s ability to make the necessary decisions to move this critical project forward, and to eventually implement our plan for light rail and rapid transit across Ottawa.
I would like to thank Kent Kirkpatrick, Nancy Schepers and all the City staff for their dedication to this project. I would also like to thank the committee chairs for their hard work in bringing our transit vision one step closer to reality.
Lastly, I would like to again thank Premier McGuinty and his Government for doing their part in helping to make Ottawa’s rapid transit vision a reality. Their $600 million investment will ensure a solid foundation for Ottawa’s transit future.
Next, we look forward to a similar show of confidence from our federal partners in the near future.
December 21st, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Mayor Larry;
We can not afford the proposed Public Transit Plan. The numbers that we are given presently will grow and grow as all of the cities projections for Public Transit have in the past. Also, we have seen the militant union in action so why give them more power over the victimized public.
There are many problems in this city and I think it is sad to see the focus constantly being on Public Transit. Improve what we have and we will do just fine and we will also be able to survive the next strike.
December 22nd, 2009 at 3:06 pm
While it is great the Ontario Government gave what they did of the taxpayers money, it still means that the City taxpayers are on the hook for the rest, as Sandra said, we cannot afford it, my property taxes have more than doubled in 8 years, I am now on a pension. How long before I move away and let some other sucker take over the tax bill? enough is enough, you are bleeding us dry and I can only say that for the elections in 2010 a lot of you, the Mayor included, may be looking for other employment. I voted for you on the zero means zero, I can see that it was mistake and I blame myself for being so naive as to believe it.