Feds Say York U. Subway Extension Cash Not A Definite

But one part of that equation appears to be in peril, as federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty calls the funding from his government far from a guarantee. Reports indicate the Conservatives now won’t be making a final decision on the $2 billion transit project until the end of the year.

Flaherty contends the $1.3 billion his spring budget set aside for public transit infrastructure could go toward any number of transportation projects, including new highways.

However, he’s been discussing the long-anticipated expansion with Ontario counterpart Greg Sorbara, including an Aug. 14 meeting in Ottawa, and the provincial minister remains optimistic it’ll happen.

The 6.2-kilometre extension of the Spadina subway line would extend from Downsview station through the York University campus and into the 905 region for the first time.

Queen’s Park set aside $670 million for the project in its March 23 budget, expecting the other two thirds would come from the feds and the municipalities – namely the City of Toronto and York Region.

Those who planned to use the new line are angry at the prospect it might never come to pass. “Most students are really excited because it will take us a lot less time to get here and the crowds won’t be so busy,” feels Morgan Seeley. “You are waiting for so many buses until you can finally get on.”

But Flaherty says the Conservative government is also looking for ways to ease congestion on the roads in southern Ontario – including building a new highway.

That plan doesn’t sit well with York Region politicians who are already howling in protest about the potential of a broken promise.

“Where does that come from all of a sudden? A highway?” demands Councillor Sandra Yeung-Rocco, the chair of the Spadina-York Subway Committee. “I mean I thought we’re supposed to be environmentally sensitive.

“We don’t even have money to maintain the roads we have and we are going to build new highways? Come on!”

Sorbara isn’t happy about the highway suggestion, either.

“I think it’s foolish to pit subway extension against highway extension,” he reasons. “If we don’t do both, we’ll have gridlock.”

Politics, as it so often does, might end up playing into the final decision. The subway extension would run through ridings that are predominantly Liberal – both provincially and federally – and might not do much to help the Tories in the next election.

Spending that transit money in other areas of the 905 region, where there’s a better chance of winning seats come election time, might make more fiscal sense for the party.

N.D.P. MP Irene Mathysen suspects that’s what’s behind the sudden shift.

” He’s hedging his bets in terms of reelection,” she charges. “Because he is now saying that the highways in the 905 area, his constituency, are more important than people in downtown Toronto.”

And voters like Augustino Crecco vows he won’t forget it come the next federal election.

“The subway station would clear a lot of pollution, clear a lot of road rage,” he believes. “I would have definitely taken it, without a doubt. I think it’s very, very disappointing and stupid.”