NDP: Ford’s Conservatives and Metrolinx owe the public an explanation for the GO expansion collapse

QUEEN’S PARK – Official Opposition NDP Shadow Minister for Transportation and Infrastructure Jennifer French (Oshawa) and Shadow Minister for Public Transit Doly Begum (Scarborough Southwest) are calling for answers after an investigation from The Trillium exposed a pattern of secrecy, ineffectiveness, and wasted taxpayer dollars within Metrolinx as its massive plan to bring frequent, European-style express rail service to the GO system collapsed:

“How did the largest transit expansion project in North America collapse in secret, without any public accountability?” asked French. “The Minister of Transportation either buried his head in the sand, or he withheld vital information from the public prior to an election. Either way, the public deserves an explanation.”

“We need answers,” said Begum. “What service should riders now expect from the de-scoped GO Expansion? When will we see frequent, electrified GO rail service, if ever? How much are taxpayers on the hook for? The culture of secrecy at Metrolinx and the lack of accountability from this government is unacceptable.”

“Metrolinx now has 118 vice presidents on the public payroll, and not one of them believes the public deserves to know what is going on inside Metrolinx's black box. This secrecy and disrespect cannot be tolerated,” said French.