Liberal loss could leave LRT money in limbo, Wynne warns

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne warned Mondaythat in the event of a Liberal loss in the upcoming provincial election, funding for Ottawa's light rail project can't be guaranteed.

The Wynne government pledged $1 billion forthe construction of the second phaseof Ottawa's LRTproject last year.

But during an event Monday morning at Louis Riel Secondary School, Wynne said the June 7 election leaves things uncertain.

"People always say, can you make sure this doesn't change, just in case you don't get elected?" she said. "My answer always has to be, no. We cannot guarantee what another government would do."

The federal government also pledged up to $1.09 billion to Phase 2, which will extendboth the Confederation Line and the Trillium Line,with the city to cover the remaining $1 billion.

The provincial government's promise included coveringhalf the cost of extending rail service to the Ottawa airport, and from Place d'Orlans to Trim Road, according to a City of Ottawa news release.

'Full steam ahead'

Despite the possibility of new provincial government, Mayor Jim Watson said he isn't worried about the money.

"I met with [Ontario PC Leader] Doug Ford, he said he's not going to change our plans or cut back, and Andrea Horwath of the NDP supports it," he said. "They know it's the right thing to do, and we're going full steam ahead with Phase 2."

Ford has so far been tight-lipped about a province-wide plan for transit funding. In Hamilton however, he said he would uphold a $1.3-billion funding promise, an LRT pledge first made by the Liberal government.

Ontario NDPLeader Andrea Horwath's platform includes a pledge to cover up to 50 per cent of operating costs for municipal transit.

Construction on Phase 1 of Ottawa'sConfederation Line is currently underway. The line is expected to be completed by November of this year, with trains travelling between Tunney's Pasture and Blair stations.

Stage 2will extend the line in both directions, between Moodie and Trim stations, with completion set for 2022-2023.

The Trillium Line will also be extended and is expected to include a link to the airport by 2021.