2 Toronto councillors call for public inquiry into Eglinton Crosstown delays

Two Toronto city councillors are calling for a public inquiry into the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, saying the probe will help the province avoid repeating errors on the much-delayed line.

Coun. Josh Matlow said that's why he and Coun. Mike Colle, who both represent wards impacted by the delayed project, want the province to hold the inquiry. The line was to open in 2020, but a series of technical problems have repeatedly delayed the line's opening. Last week, Premier Doug Ford conceded that the light-rail train may not be operational until the new year. 

"We are asking for a public inquiry, both for transparency and accountability for the mistakes of the past," Matlow said. "But we also want to ensure that Metrolinx and the province don't repeat those mistakes, as we want to see even more transit completed on time and on budget."

Work on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT began in 2011 with an estimated price tag of $9.1 billion to build and maintain the 19-kilometre line. In 2022, documents obtained by CBC Toronto showed the project costs had jumped to at least $12.8 billion.

Matlow's motion, which Colle is supporting, comes to city council this week and calls for the inquiry, but it also asks Ontario's transportation minister to attend a meeting of Mayor Olivia Chow's executive committee to answer questions. Matlow concedes that he can't think of a similar precedent where a cabinet minister spoke at a city committee, but the situation warrants the request.

"We, as local representatives, have a responsibility to take a stand for Torontonians and demand accountability and transparency," Matlow said.

Colle said the project has caused local businesses to close, as well as traffic chaos as the quiet midtown neighbourhoods were flooded with vehicles trying to bypass construction. Even with those impacts, the city has still struggled to understand why the line has yet to be completed, he said.

"What's most frustrating of all is that it's a public project, publicly funded, (from a) public agency … and there is total secrecy about it," he said.

"We can't find out what went wrong, what the problems are, when it might be finished."

This isn't the first time the councillors have asked city council to back their bid for a public inquiry. In 2022, then mayor John Tory pushed back against their request. 

Instead, council backed an amended resolution which called for a third-party probe after the project is completed.

In retrospect, that was a waste of time, Colle said, sharpening his call to councillors who didn't support the request for full public inquiry the first time. 

"What I can say is, 'I told you so' in 2022," he said. "Please open up your eyes and realize that you cannot be an apologist for Metrolinx any longer."

Last week, Mayor Chow expressed her frustration at news of another potential delay on the LRT.