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the cost for ripping up the beer store contract was something like a billion from what I remember, and it expires in 2025 anyway, so I think they just decided not to bother until then.
How so?
How so?
To be fair tolling these highways was stupid in the first place. And it shows. They are empty. Accessing the few interchanges on the 412/418 should have always been free. You shouldn't be charged a fee until you are on a dedicated route to the 407.
This will free up some capacity on local roads and the 35/115. This is one place where 'induced demand' makes total sense. There is underutilized infrastructure that already exists and that is dumb. If it's already done we may as well get the best possible use out of it.
I am still surprised that two full freeway connections N/S were built as part of the 407 extension. The 412 would have been just fine tolled or un-tolled. 418 is too close to the 35/115 to be of much use IMO... especally if you toll it
However, that still keeps the problem that the only people who use these highways are the rich who can afford the luxury of paying for them. Its not exactly an equitable situation - driving by an empty road whilst you watch the peasants stuck on the 401.
Sanctions and economical retaliation would come from foreign powers if that was the solution. If that doesn’t stop it, the old world tactics is war and invasion to make Ontario comply.Next he needs to rip up the contract on the 407. This can be done with a simple change of the law. Let the foreign operators try to sue Ontario in its own courts.
Linda McQuaig: Doug Ford should cancel Highway 407 contract
Forget about the Beer Store contract, the public interest would be best served by taking back the “revenue-generating monster” GTA highway.www.thestar.com
If we can cancel contracts for wind farms and the Beer Store, we can cancel contracts for the 407. And we should pass a law that no Premier can enter into 99 year contracts for anything.
Changing laws as we wish to break up a contract (even one that's horrible for us) is a bad move. It signals to the business community that the Government of Ontario will not keep its word, and that the rule of law will be changed to suit the government's needs. As much as the 407 ETR contract sucks, getting rid of it would probably mean that in the future, when a company does business with our provincial government, they will demand stricter terms/higher compensation for the risk over a broken contract. Not worth it - I would rather use the tolls we get from 407 East (and the un-untolled 412/418) to slowly buy back bits of the 407 consortium.Next he needs to rip up the contract on the 407. This can be done with a simple change of the law. Let the foreign operators try to sue Ontario in its own courts.
Linda McQuaig: Doug Ford should cancel Highway 407 contract
Forget about the Beer Store contract, the public interest would be best served by taking back the “revenue-generating monster” GTA highway.
If we can cancel contracts for wind farms and the Beer Store, we can cancel contracts for the 407. And we should pass a law that no Premier can enter into 99 year contracts for anything.
That would set a new record for overreaction. It's a dumb highway. Very much doubt that would happen.
You mean foreigners like the Canadian Pension Plan?
RBT’s already got this covered. I’d forgotten that the CPP bought a majority stake from the offshore owners.
Even if it were entirely foreign owned, I don't think it is wise to just rip up contracts and tell the other party to pound sand. Canadians own a lot of foreign assets and normalizing confiscation of foreign owned assets would not make the world a better place.
To pay for this, the Conservatives will have to raise taxes. However, not for the rich or the corporations.Ontario Eliminating Licence Plate Renewal Fees and Stickers
Ontario Newsroom
news.ontario.ca
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So along with no toll revenue from 412 and 418, no more revenue from the sticker renewal. If you read the press release it mentions:
“For many families, driving is an absolute necessity. Eliminating licence plate renewal fees and stickers is part of our government’s commitment to support drivers as we continue to build Ontario’s transportation network, including by building the Bradford Bypass and Highway 413.”
Uhh... so how are you going to build new stuff when we have less money to work with? It is going to be harder to maintain what already exists, let alone any expansions or new projects.
'Progressive Conservative' except when it comes to fiscal responsibility. Ontario really needs a solid plan to balance the budget or even run in the black significantly to pay off debt.
...But its easier and more appealing to voters to go into the red.
With fuel prices the way they are now, it's political suicide to propose a new tax/fee by any of the parties for the next election.
When you consider how deep the government is in the red from the past few years, a billion in lost revenue is a drop in the bucket compared to how much we lost due to COVID. You can expect a lot more taxes after the election as reopening occurs, including but not limited to the rich or the corporation. The middle class especially is going to feel the brunt of it, regardless of which party gets in.
