Olivia Chow, MP

Public Transit: Olivia Deplores Lack of Federal Leadership

Olivia Chow Criticizes Minister Lebel for Missing National Transit Strategy

February 6, 2012

OTTAWA – During Monday’s Question Period in the House of Commons, the NDP Transport Critic Olivia Chow derided Harper’s efforts to secure a pair of pandas during his trip to China while Canada’s cities are marred in traffic gridlock and failing infrastructure.

The government’s refusal to support the City of Toronto with urgent tasks like the repair of Gardiner Expressway or streetcar purchases are clear examples of lacking federal leadership according to Olivia Chow. Instead of its skewed priorities, the Harper government should focus on a National Transit Strategy.

Transcript:

Ms. Olivia Chow (Trinity—Spadina, NDP):

Mr. Speaker, Toronto cannot even find public money to house the pandas, never mind trying to find housing for the homeless.

After the Minister of Foreign Affairs pulled a Super Bowl size MIA in the city of Toronto, his government refused to fund street car purchases. Commuters have been left idling in traffic jams. Public transit is at a standstill. Chunks of the Gardiner Expressway are falling.

When it comes to Toronto, the government just does not get the job done. Where is the public transit strategy?

Hon. Denis Lebel (Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, the MP is mixing her time when she was a city councillor in Toronto. We do not have to manage the City of Toronto. We have to support it in that way. This morning I met with 10 ministers of municipal affairs of the provinces and territories. All agreed on a job well done for the provinces and territories. We will continue to do so.