Ford threatens rail project support amid airport fight with Ottawa

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is escalating an infrastructure dispute with Ottawa, threatening to pull support for a federal high-speed rail line. This move comes after the federal government blocked the expansion of Toronto's island airport.

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If Prime Minister Carney and his team want to … if this is how they’re going to treat bigger projects, I don’t think you’ll get much built.

The conflict pits Ford's government against Prime Minister Mark Carney, Toronto's mayor, and thousands of residents who opposed the airport expansion. Federal Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon had stated the government would not pursue plans infringing on public spaces. In response, the Ford government accused the federal government of yielding to a "fringe group" of Toronto residents.

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Public confidence in major infrastructure projects depends on meaningful consultation. In the case of ALTO, too many questions remain unanswered.

Adding to the tension, the province began questioning the federal government's proposed Alto high-speed rail line project. A statement from Progressive Conservative caucus members representing eastern Ontario ridings, which the rail line would traverse, cited unanswered questions and the need for local feedback. They emphasized minimizing impacts on farmland and ensuring public support.

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If ALTO is to proceed, local voices impacted by this project deserve to see their feedback reflected in the project’s planning, route selection and delivery. The federal government must ensure that any potential future rail project minimizes impacts on farmland and is supported by the people affected.

MacKinnon responded that Ottawa would work with Ontario and Quebec on the Alto route, remaining sensitive to concerns. However, Ontario's Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, stated the province intends to proceed with the airport expansion, maintaining legislation that allows land expropriation. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow reiterated that the federal government holds the final decision-making power and has already said no to the expansion.

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I’m very confident, as we move on, not that there won’t be controversy, not that there won’t be concerns, but that this is a project that makes Canadians dream, that will improve their lives.