Ford repeats support for subways at Toronto rally

Mayor Rob Ford repeated his support for subways at a small Scarborough rally on Thursday afternoon, saying he wants transit on Sheppard Avenue to run underground.

Last month, city council approved a motion by Coun. Karen Stintz to study using LRTs instead of subways for the Sheppard subway line extension.

The advisory panel is expected to unveil its report Friday and council will vote on March 21.

“The advisory panel is a biased panel. We all know that. We all know what they’re going to say,” Ford said at the rally.

“I listen to the residents, the taxpayers, the people that pay our wages. They’re the boss.”

Ford said he had $1 billion from the Ontario government to spend on subway construction on Sheppard. However, council has allocated that money to LRT lines on Eglinton and Finch, and the advisory panel will likely recommend an LRT on Sheppard as well.

He was joined by members of Subways Are For Everyone (SAFE) at Thursday’s rally, some of whom held signs reading “Honk 4 subways.” The group will be holding a meeting in Scarborough Monday.

“It’s easy to call people biased…because you disagree with their conclusion,” Coun. Josh Matlow told CityNews Thursday.

“I challenge the mayor. If he shows me a real plan that’s fiscally responsible and evidence-based, he’ll gain my support,” Matlow said.

Ford suffered a major defeat in February when council voted in favour of an LRT plan championed by Stintz. Ford has repeatedly said he would continue to push for subways, effectively overruling council.

 

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