{"id":14059,"date":"2025-01-24T14:58:38","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T14:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/01\/24\/ford-confirms-ontario-election-call-announces-tunnel-extension-plan-for-unfinished-lrt\/"},"modified":"2025-01-24T14:58:38","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T14:58:38","slug":"ford-confirms-ontario-election-call-announces-tunnel-extension-plan-for-unfinished-lrt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/01\/24\/ford-confirms-ontario-election-call-announces-tunnel-extension-plan-for-unfinished-lrt\/","title":{"rendered":"Ford confirms Ontario election call, announces tunnel extension plan for unfinished LRT"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Ontarians will go to the polls in February, Premier Doug Ford<\/a> said Friday while announcing his government\u2019s plan to improve transit in Peel Region.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Ford confirmed Global News\u2019 Thursday reporting<\/a> that sources said the premier would go to Lt. Gov. Edith Dumont on Jan. 29 to dissolve his government, which would allow for an election to take place on Feb. 27.<\/p>\n

The confirmation comes after weeks of rampant speculation Ford would head to the polls early, amidst a threat of tariffs from the United States that has allowed the premier to take a national leadership role.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need a mandate from the people to fight against Donald Trump\u2019s tariffs,\u201d Ford said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe attack is coming against our families, our businesses, our communities, and with a strong mandate, we will be able to fight with Donald Trump to make sure we stop the tariffs and make sure that we give certainty to the people of Ontario.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Click
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

During the morning news conference, Ford said he was planning to build a tunnel to extend the Hurontario LRT, also known as the Hazel McCallion Line, northwards from Mississauga and under downtown Brampton. The government said the extension to downtown Brampton is about four kilometres.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"For\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n
\n

Get breaking National news<\/h3>\n

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cBy tunnelling the Hazel McCallion Line into downtown Brampton, we\u2019re helping tens of thousands of daily riders connect seamlessly to world-class transit that will extend across the region,\u201d said Ford.<\/p>\n

The promise adds detail to a commitment the premier has already made to extend the light rail route northwards into Brampton and add a loop in downtown Mississauga.<\/p>\n

The government said the next steps involve \u201cdetailed planning and design\u201d of the extensions including the underground tunnel from the Brampton Gateway Terminal to downtown Brampton. They added Metrolinx will optimize construction and the route\u2019s alignment to improve connection to the Brampton Innovation District GO Station and meet Brampton\u2019s \u201cvision\u201d for Main Street and the downtown core.<\/p>\n

\n

Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cAs one of the fastest-growing cities in our province, Brampton residents deserve access to world-class transit to meet the needs of a vibrant, thriving community,\u201d said Prabmeet Sarkaria, minister of transportation.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Click
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n