Councillors have voted to enter into discussions with Premier Doug Ford’s government about the province’s plan to take ownership of the TTC subway system, even though they registered their opposition to the plan.At a meeting Thursday, council voted 24 to 1 to approve recommendations in a report from City Manager Chris Murray to start talks with the province on a potential “upload” of the subway to Queen’s Park.But they also voted 23 to 2 to in favour of an amendment from Mayor John Tory to “reaffirm (council’s) support for keeping ownership of the Toronto Transit Commission in the City of Toronto.”Council passed a similar motion in May, after the Ontario PCs floated the upload in their election platform. In a speech to council, Tory expressed skepticism about the upload, saying the Ontario PCs have never fleshed out the plan in detail and suggesting the proposal was “a solution in search of a problem.”The province has said it is only interested in taking ownership of the subway, and would allow the TTC to continue operating the lines and collecting fares.The PCs say the city has a poor track record of building new lines, and the province is better positioned financially to create an efficient regional transit network. But city staff were unable to answer questions raised by councillors Thursday about what the plan would mean for TTC service or the city’s ability to co-ordinate transit with land use planning. “I think, in the end, the best way to protect the transit system … is to go to the table and get answers to the questions,” said Tory. Staunch opponents of the upload agreed it was best to talk with Queen’s Park, given the legislative authority the province has over the city.“As the largest city in this country, as the economic engine of this province and country, our ability to own and operate the transit system is central to our success,” said Councillor ...
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