With Metrolinx announcing today that the controversial air-rail link between downtown Toronto and Pearson International Airport will go ahead, the McGuinty government is putting casino profits ahead of people and neighbourhoods, says NDP Leader Howard Hampton.

“Today’s announcement makes it clear. There is no mention of this project becoming a true public transit option with affordable fares and numerous stops along the line to serve some of Toronto’s neediest neighbourhoods. But there will likely be a stop at an enlarged casino operation at the Woodbine racetrack,” said Hampton.

“Concerned residents have raised that issue from day one: that they and their communities were being sacrificed in favour of a publicly-subsidized, privately-operated scheme that is designed to ferry gamblers from downtown Toronto to Woodbine racetrack. Today, Metrolinx and the McGuinty government put their chips down and revealed the cards they intend to play with a deck stacked in their favour.”

Hampton said he fully supports the position of community activists along the proposed route: that the line use modern, environmentally-friendly vehicles, not refurbished, diesel-spewing Budd railcars; that it be fully integrated into the public transit network with an affordable fare structure for regular commuters and the tens of thousands of airport workers; and that it stop in communities it runs through.

“New Democrats have from the outset stood up for the interest of communities along the line. We’re glad the people of Weston will get a stop and that their cross-streets will not be closed off, but this project is about more than one community. It’s about providing quality, environmentally-friendly public transit for all Torontonians. This project does not do that. Until it does, we will continue to raise our objections,” said Hampton.