Mayor Tory and TTC Chair Josh Colle,  blame the TTC for delays and cost overruns to the Spadina Subway Extension.  They think public-private-partnerships (P3s) are the way to build new infrastructure like the Scarborough Subway.

The problem is public-private-partnerships don't necessarily protect the public from cost overruns and delays. A recent report by Provincial Auditor General, Bonnie Lysyk, shows Ontarians lost $8B in cost overruns on projects that were built using P3s.

Most of the delays to the Spadina Subway Extension: a tragic and fatal worksite accident, severe cold weather and delays in provincial funding, were not the fault of TTC project managers. All things considered, the TTC has done remarkably well with the 10% cut to funding and staff that was imposed in 2012.

Awarding contracts for subways to a select group of elite, global corporations is not the answer. Building our capacity to oversee big infrastructure projects and making sure the work goes to local contractors who submit quality bids, will do a lot more to keep them on time and on budget.

A report on P3s goes before the Executive Committee of Council on April 22nd. 

Tell our elected officials to vote against public-private-partnerships for the Scarborough Subway and for all new transit infrastructure in Toronto.