Jim Flaherty never likes to miss a chance to say that the federal government really does have the money to pledge towards the extension of the Danforth subway. He also likes to remind Ontario voters that the government in Ottawa is stable — it has a majority — unlike the wobbly Liberals at Queen’s Park. So it was today as Mr.Flaherty, flanked by Mayor Ford and TTC Chair Karen Stintz, promised to pony up $660,000 for the subway extension. The feds are backing the City of Toronto plan to build an extension with many stations, not the two-station economy model announced a few days ago by provincial minister Glen Murray. Flaherty says the money is a “done deal” and comes at the request of Mayor Ford and city council. At the announcement this morning (Monday) in Scarborough, Flaherty said the message from the federal government is “you have our money, now let’s get this subway built.” Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said earlier today that she doesn’t think the federal government would have come to the table if the province had not made its $1.4-billion funding commitment. But she said the “disconcerting part” is that the federal money isn’t part of a broader transit strategy. And so, even when there is agreement, the political shots go on.
