Currently the 407 ETR is part of the national safety net, the majority owner is the CPP. As such I don't mind using it when necessary. If President Smith doesn't loot it to subsidize the Oil Sands, the CPP will surpass the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund by 2031.I suppose the province can buy the 407 operators out of the lease / buy back the highway.. that would cost an astronomical figure.The 407 contract agreed to by Harris is probably the worse contract (financial and in terms of foresight for municipal needs) ever signed for the citizens of Toronto and Ontario. Also be wary of politicians who push "common sense" as part of their agenda.
With beer at convenience stores I suspect he's on a permanent bender If I was drunk a giant tunnel wouldn't seem like such a bad ideaDougie is hitting the pipe again.
Except - as Annie points out - the Boston Big Dick was only a couple of km.I guess he must've just heard about Boston's Big Dig, which went massively over budget and time...Actually, its sort of similar to the Eglinton LRT....
Ford likes to think from under a rock.I do admire this government for exploring ideas and thinking outside the box
Too often, “common sense” is shorthand for “I haven’t done any homework on this and I don’t need to.” Ignorance is bliss until it bites you in the ass.Also be wary of politicians who push "common sense" as part of their agenda.
"I UNDERSTAND OPTION 2 IS NOT FOR EVERYONE"Just ask working parents who have a couple kids in school and in sports how realistic it is to walk or ride a bike to get them everywhere they need to go, especially during winter months.
While you're at it, ask people who physically can't walk far or ride a bike.
Not everyone lives in downtown Toronto or wants to.
It's insane and a non-starter. Lord knows why he thinks this is a good idea. He's like Trump about the border wall....it sounds impressive, but would be technically challenging and expensive to do, and would likely be a slight improvement...Except - as Annie points out - the Boston Big Dick was only a couple of km.
A tunnel under the 401 would be twice the size of the fucking Channel Tunnel between Britain and France!!
It could be a dead cat move, a way to stop discussion about the Science Centre, Ontario Place, Greenbelt, 413, privatizing health care, defunding education and creating 200,000 homeless people.It's insane and a non-starter. Lord knows why he thinks this is a good idea. He's like Trump about the border wall....it sounds impressive, but would be technically challenging and expensive to do, and would likely be a slight improvement...
True....I would love to see them put that money towards healthcare, education and affordable housing -- as well as a viable transit plan.It could be a dead cat move, a way to stop discussion about the Science Centre, Ontario Place, Greenbelt, 413, privatizing health care, defunding education and creating 200,000 homeless people.
Yup, the last conservative premiers screwed up the 407 and DoFo will make it 10x worse instead the easy fix if it means more contracts for his donors.True....I would love to see them put that money towards healthcare, education and affordable housing -- as well as a viable transit plan.
The Mike Harris government screwed this province when they sold the 407 for peanuts AND a 99 year lease. That highway was supposed to alleviate traffic on the 401 through Toronto....and it would've worked. Truckers were all for it...until they saw the cost of the tolls...
But, at least the Canada Pension Plan is getting money from it....that'll help pay for our government pensions....
Mexico will pay for the tunnel.It's insane and a non-starter. Lord knows why he thinks this is a good idea. He's like Trump about the border wall....it sounds impressive, but would be technically challenging and expensive to do, and would likely be a slight improvement...
Here is your problem...."I UNDERSTAND OPTION 2 IS NOT FOR EVERYONE"
This attitude of "we can't try anything different because I can think of a case where it doesn't work" is so myopic. THINK for a minute. Of my 4 grandparents, who raised 7 kids between them, only 1 had a license. HSR was functional enough between 1940 and 1990 that they didn't need a car.
If there were an option for people who don't need or want a suburban/two car lifestyle, there would be more homes available for those that do. If there were an option for people who don't want to commute, there would be more room on the roads for those that do.
It's the whole "We shouldn't have electric cars because I don't like them". Good news boys: The more people in electric cars, the more and cheaper gas there is for the rest of us.
This suburbs-and-highways plan traps people in poverty. I'd prefer that my tax dollars go to improving peoples lives, rather than lining the pockets of the oligarchs.
A lot of political ideas and government policy is like thatIt's insane and a non-starter. Lord knows why he thinks this is a good idea. He's like Trump about the border wall....it sounds impressive, but would be technically challenging and expensive to do, and would likely be a slight improvement...
No you can't void that dumb contract.Second, de-toll the 407. You can void that dumb contract with an act of the legislature. Once that highway is de-tolled, people will use it
What a crazy thing to agree to. 99 years is retarded. Is there no legal loophole at all what so ever?Ontario signed a deal for 99 years with that Spanish company, and if they break that contract the Spanish company will take Ontario govt to international court in The Hague, and they will win