Tough times for transit but not the end of the world
By MICHAEL WARREN
Ontario has run up a deficit of nearly $21 billion in an attempt to soften the impact of a harsh recession. And it is naïve to expect anything but unpopular belt-tightening for years to come — regardless of which party controls Queen’s Park.
Don’t expect any more handout announcements. Get used to hearing about financial phasing, program cuts, more taxes, user fees and selling assets. Eventually every provincial service will be affected. Ontario has no alternative. It is facing the worst fiscal crisis in its history.
Given this reality, it was surprising to witness the indignant media and political overreaction to Premier Dalton McGuinty’s decision to delay $4 billion in funding for the province’s “Big Move” 25-year transit plan.