NDP demands accountability and transparency as Metrolinx faces $8.2 billion in lawsuits

TORONTO – Shadow Minister for Public Transit Doly Begum (Scarborough Southwest) and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure & Transportation Jennifer French (Oshawa) issued the following statement in response to a recent report that revealed Metrolinx is facing lawsuits with claims totalling $8.2 billion:

“Enough is enough. We saw it with the de-scoping of the GO expansion project. We saw it repeatedly with the constant delays and ballooning costs of the Eglinton LRT-- Metrolinx has not only failed to deliver transit for the people of Ontario but has also kept the public in the dark for far too long. Now they are being sued for $8.2 billion without clear answers as to who is responsible and how this happened,” MPP Begum said.

“Premier Ford and Minister Sarkaria need to pull their heads out of the sand and start demanding transparency and accountability. It’s long past time for a public inquiry. We need to crack open Metrolinx’s black box and find out what is really going on."

“$8.2 billion in lawsuits is not normal and it is not acceptable. This is more Metrolinx chaos. For years, people have been feeling frustrated because of the lack of accountability and transparency at Metrolinx. Why does this Government keep its head in the sand, while allowing this agency to run amok? This government needs to totally reevaluate its unwarranted confidence in Metrolinx,” MPP French said.