Federal NDP Jagmeet Singh (Photo: CPAC)
The federal NDP leader was in Thunder Bay to urge the federal government to support building trains for the Toronto transit system in the city.
Toronto Transit Line 2 needs 55 new trains which will cost an estimated $2.3 billion.
Toronto and the province have each committed roughly $750 million to the project, but the funds from the province were contingent on support from the federal government.
“Thousands of workers here in Thunder Bay where the subway trains are made, are depending on the federal government funding its share of the project,” said Unifor Local 1075 President, Justin Roberts. “I happily join my voice to call on the federal government to offer us, workers in Thunder Bay, the certainty and stability we deserve, it’s time for the federal government to join us in securing the future for workers.”
Jagmeet Singh visited the Alstom Plant on Tuesday, which is where the subway trains are made.
“Flowing federal funds for Toronto’s trains would offer hope and relief to hundreds of Thunder Bay workers and their families. Every one of them deserves to rest easy knowing their good mortgage-paying job is more secure,” said Singh. “And for Toronto’s commuters, who are crunched into aging subway cars, federal funds are fundamental to getting new, safe trains into service.
“Justin Trudeau’s weak indecision is hurting workers. By dragging their feet, Trudeau’s government is holding up the project and letting down working families in Thunder Bay and Toronto.”
Calls for funding for the project have been going out since 2020.
Singh added that he supports pro-Canadian procurement, and urges the Toronto Transit Commission to include a 25 per cent Canadian content clause in the Request for Proposals, which is allowed under current international trade agreements.
