Ontario Hansard - 18-May2005

TRANSIT FUNDING


Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): My question is as well to the Minister of Transportation. Phase one of York region's Viva rapid transit will be operational in September. You will know that when I was Minister of Transportation, I committed $50 million on behalf of the province to that project, and I was pleased to see that you honoured that commitment. The region of York not only committed their $50 million but since then has contributed an additional $30 million.


You will know that phase two will require an additional commitment of $7.3 million from each of the levels of government. Will you today commit, on behalf of the province, to a $7.3-million investment in phase two of this important transit project?


Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): Our government is absolutely committed to improving transit in this province. It's interesting to note that the member from the opposite side is asking me this question, because it took them 10 years to destroy the transit system in this province. We are rebuilding it.


It's true that he made the announcement, but we actually delivered the cheque. In this budget, we are spending a considerable amount of money to move our transit forward because we feel it is important for our province to keep doing that.

Interjection.


The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, come to order.

Supplementary.


Mr. Klees: Minister, I complimented you on delivering that cheque, and I'm pleased that this project has gone forward. What I'm asking you now is whether or not your government will come to the table for this very important second phase of this project. It is $7.3 million. The region is prepared to commit that, they're asking you to commit that, and I'm sure the new member from Newmarket in the Liberal government will ensure that the federal government does its part. Will you today commit on the part of the province of Ontario to deliver that funding to York region?

Hon. Mr. Takhar: We are absolutely committed to moving forward with the EA on the next project, and we are giving York region $1.5 million to do that. As I already said, we have given $50 million for the first phase of the project. Once the EA is done, we will be sitting with York region and we will see where we need to go with this project. We will support them the way we can to move forward with this project.