Yes but he want's all of Ontario's Taxpayers to pay for it via the Province, which equates to a tax increase for implemented by the Province not the City, although he will have to raise taxes to pay for it.....
Reality dawns on Rob Ford about taxes and subways:
Mayor gingerly embraces tapping residents to build his Scarborough subway dream
Sound the horn: Ford has finally stuck his big toe in the tax waters; council should help him step in fully, if he’s to deliver on the call for “subways, subways, subways.”
“It’s encouraging the mayor is recognizing that subways cost money,” said Councillor Karen Stintz. “I believe this is the right subway.”
That’s code talk for building political cover to counter criticisms that she has flip-flopped on the matter — opposing subways more than a year ago and embracing them now because she plans to run for mayor and needs votes in Scarborough.
The mayor’s position of subways for free has been laughed out of every credible discussion forum. But Ford’s endearing — and frustrating — quality is the ability to ignore reality and press on as if the world is unfolding according to his personal script. So, while he was announcing “great news” and an agreement on a subway for Scarborough, there are significant obstacles:
The province must transfer $1.8 billion to the new project, not $1.48 billion Metrolinx has suggested. Ford is meeting Transportation Minister Glen Murray regarding this on Monday. If he gets “a dime less,” the deal’s dead, Ford says.
The federal government needs to kick in an estimated $400 million — the subject of Ford talks with his Conservative buddy, Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, on Saturday. If, for instance, Flaherty opts not to send new money, but shifts money already earmarked for the Sheppard LRT, city council might balk.
And Toronto taxpayers must pick up the shortfall — as little as $560 million or as much as $1.2 billion — in property taxes dedicated to the project.
Finally, Toronto’s debt could jump 30 per cent, if the other levels of government don’t come through.
Reality dawns on Rob Ford about taxes and subways: James | Toronto Star
