Here’s the city manager’s response to Coun. Matlow’s questions re: Scarborough subway vs. LRT. http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2017/cc/comm/communicationfile-68016.pdf (PDF)
“A formal business case analysis to compare the Scarborough LRT to the SSE has never been directed by Council.” Astounding.
“We obviously remain uncomfortable with the broader strategy of planning for items we do not have a fiscal framework to fund,” says Wallace.
Motions worth moving in today’s subway debate: 1. Cap city contribution to subway 2. Ensure 0% of new federal transit money goes to subway
A motion to introduce a dedicated property tax levy to fund the Crosstown East would be fun too. Get ‘em on record as voting against it.
Memories of Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig. (via http://torontolife.com/city/bruce-mccuaig-ceo-of-metrolinx/)
Coun. Pasternak doesn’t think people should say “one-stop subway.” He says there are 31 stops on Bloor line, so this is a 32-stop subway.
Coun. Shelley Carroll: “It’s downright Trumpy. It’s maximum Trumpiness in this room right now. It’s alternative facts.”
Layton says the city hall media gallery has become “little Daniel Dales”, fact-checking Tory and pointing out absurd statements. High praise
Shiner moves that subway cost estimates include rough-in for a Lawrence Station, making it, like, a 1.5-stop subway. (Also more expensive.)
Coun. Norm Kelly says he agrees with Giorgio Mammoliti, Finch Avenue should have a subway.
Calling for a moratorium on anyone bringing up the Bloor Viaduct in debates about building infrastructure. Enough with it. It’s one example.
Coun. Perks has been reduced to feeling like he has to explain to his colleagues the difference between “million” and “billion.”
Tory vs. Matlow up now. Good time to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1TyvDiiHoc
John Tory on his citing anecdotes about subway travel time savings: “Why would academic studies present an absolute truth, either?”
Tory says the studies are relevant, but also there are people saying this subway will save them 15-20 minutes per day. Boy, I don’t know.
Magic internet points to the first person who clips that Matlow/Tory exchange and gets it on YouTube.
Tory: “Subways last for 100 years … that’s quite a different story than an LRT.” We’ve hit the bottom.
Coun. Josh Matlow’s motion to study business case of Scarborough subway vs. LRT FAILS 18-26.
Coun. Pasternak made a mistake. We’re doing this vote again.
On-revote, Coun. Matlow motion to conduct business case analysis comparison of subway vs. LRT FAILS 17-27.
Ainslie motion (amended) that Eg East LRT and Scarborough subway be considered as “one network” passes 38-6.
And thus ends Part IX of our saga. Stay tuned for Part X, coming later this year.
A day later, “for those people it is a fact” remains a mind-blowing thing for a mayor to say. https://x.com/jpags/status/847067617210892288
Toronto Council votes 32-11 to support @Peter_Tabuns’ Rent Protection for All Tenants Act. Mayor against.
Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong is lone vote against motion requesting an increase in speeding fines on residential streets and in school zones.
Coun. Mammoliti is the lone vote against a motion supporting a national child care system.
