TORONTO - Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak said the provincial government should support Mayor Rob Ford's vision for underground subways, even if it goes against the decision of the majority of Toronto City Council.
In a press conference outside Queen's Park Tuesday, Hudak urged Premier Dalton McGuinty to work with the city to plan for subways to make a "once-in-a generation" transit investment, even though council has voted to consider less expensive above-ground options.
"If we truly want to see Toronto as a world-class city, we should build underground," Hudak said.
In question period Tuesday, McGuinty reiterated his commitment to respect the decisions of Toronto councillors.
"This a matter of respect for the expressed will of the municipal council," McGuinty said.
Hudak's move comes one day after Toronto City Council voted to dissolve and then re-elect members of the Toronto Transit Commission board.
The new board members elected are Raymond Cho, Sintz, John Parker, Maria Augimeri, Glenn De baeremaeker., Josh Colle, and Peter Milczyn. Karen Stintz will remain as chair of the TTC.
Council also voted to add four citizen members to the board. Those members will be appointed in October.
Hudak said there are compelling reasons to focus $8.4-million of provincial funding first allocated to Toronto's transit plans in 2008 to below-ground options.
Traffic gridlock in Toronto is among the worst in North America. It discourages investment and costs the region billions of dollars every year, Hudak said.
Metrolinx, the provincial agency for transit in the Toronto region, needs to be strategic with the money it gives out, he said.
"We believe that the premier should direct Metrolinx to work with the mayor and council to invest in subways, to build underground, and not rip up more city streets and take them away for LRT – glorified streetcars," Hudak said.
Hudak was joined at the press conference by a representative from the Toronto Taxpayers' Coalition, who presented a petition calling for the premier to allow an open vote on the issue of subways in Toronto at Queen's Park.
Patrick Sherman, spokesperson for Subways are for Everyone (SAFE), also joined Hudak. Sherman said council has "flip-flopped" on the subway decision over the years and putting light-rail transit on arterial roads won't solve any problems. It will just add to road congestion, he said.
"What I've experienced in the last two weeks looks more like power play than intelligent decision," Sherman said.
Hudak agreed that Toronto city council has been plagued with personal politics and he said it's time for the premier to step in.
"What we've seen at council has degenerated into a war of personalities," Hudak said. "We're getting away from the most important issue, which is breaking gridlock to create jobs in the GTA."
However, Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli struck down the idea in the legislature later in the day.
"The resolution of the leader of the opposition is the most intellectually shallow, uninformed, and politically opportunistic I have ever seen," Chiarelli said.
The PCs will introduce an Opposition Day motion in favour of subways.
However, the transit debate is not over yet. Council still has to decide the fate of Sheppard Avenue at a special council meeting in two weeks. Deciding on a subway or light rail for that line is the last piece of the transit puzzle before council can present the package to the province.
With reporting by CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson
