Criticizing the McGuinty government’s snail’s pace approach to reaching an agreement with Greyhound on saving bus services to Northwestern Ontario, Kenora—Rainy River NDP MPP Howard Hampton invited the Transportation Minister to get moving during today’s Question Period.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is standing up for west end Toronto residents who have been fighting against the private, diesel-powered air-rail link.

Late yesterday, the McGuinty government approved plans that permit SNC-Lavalin to run more than 150 trains each day between downtown Toronto and Pearson International Airport.

Parkdale High-Park NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo supports the Clean Train Coalition’s request to have the provincial ombudsman investigate wasteful spending at Metrolinx, the agency responsible for regional transit in Ontario.

Kenora—Rainy River NDP MPP Howard Hampton continued to press the McGuinty Liberals today for action to ensure Northwestern Ontario continue to receive adequate bus service.

“Greyhound says it will shut down bus services in Northwestern Ontario on December 2, leaving literally hundreds of communities and First Nations without transportation services,” said Hampton.

– Parkdale—High Park NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo joined with hundreds of west end Toronto parents and toddlers on the front lawn of the Legislative Assembly this morning to protest against the McGuinty government’s plan to allow up to 400 diesel trains to pollute their neighbourhoods each and every day.

MPP Cheri DiNovo today called on GO Transit to keep its promise to reduce the West Toronto diamond pile driving project 50 per cent by June 8th, 2009.

“GO’s representative misspoke when they promised a 50 percent reduction in pile driving noise—and when they said vibratory hammers were not a viable alternative,” said DiNovo.