Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is expressing concern that some of the political turmoil in Ottawa could impact important city projects and she’s calling on newly minted Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc to firm up some of the government’s commitments.
Just weeks ago, Freeland held a news conference with Chow to announce that the federal government would be committing $758 million through the Canada Public Transit Fund in order to purchase 55 subway trains to replace the aging trains in service on the TTC’s Line 2. Toronto desperately needs the new subway trains to replace the current Line 2 fleet, which is nearing the end of its lifespan. The city and the province have together pledged $1.52 billion to buy the new trains.Freeland’s resignation raises questions about whether Trudeau and his Liberals can weather the political storm and further delay an early election that many observers believe is unavoidable.