(11-13-2021, 11:56 PM)nms Wrote:(11-13-2021, 09:08 PM)taylortbb Wrote: When the province scaled back their financial commitment from 2/3 to a touch over 1/3, the region really trimmed every small expense they could. That was the era the project came extremely close to getting cancelled.
Just to be clear, the province did not scale back their commitment. Their commitment was for a fixed amount of money. The cost of the project grew over time so eventually a larger percentage commitment became a smaller percentage commitment.
Eh, really depends how you parse the words of what was announced. Yes, the original 2/3 promise from the province was for a much cheaper version of the project. But a local MPP definitely put out a press release saying "2/3 of the rapid transit project cost" .
When the LRT was finally fully costed, and the number was much higher than originally suggested, the federal government kept to 1/3 and adjusted up their commitment to the new total. The province however didn't stick to 2/3, and although $300M was more money, it certainly felt a little "promise broken".
Everyone, including the province, knows preliminary costs are just that, and that the final total will be higher. Putting out a press release saying 2/3 of the RT project, when you know it'll go higher, certainly creates an expectation of being in for 2/3 of the final price.
The provincial government was also throwing around 2/3 funding promises for other cities at the time. The Liberals knew they came up short in KW, and that was a huge part of why they committed $50M to the transit hub project. Also a part of why they picked up 50% of the overrun, through Metrolinx culpability for late vehicles was a factor too.