Federal authorities to supply $758 million towards $2.3-billion challenge, with the Metropolis of Toronto and the province of Ontario splitting the rest.
TORONTO — Canada’s deputy prime minister says she expects Toronto’s new subway vehicles might be constructed at Thunder Bay’s Alstom plant.
Chrystia Freeland made the proclamation on Friday, after the federal authorities introduced $758 million in funding to assist cowl a number of the $2.3 billion in anticipated prices to switch the Toronto Transit Fee’s Line 2 Bloor-Danforth subway vehicles.
A complete of 55 vehicles might be wanted, with funding additionally coming from the province and the Metropolis of Toronto.
“You have here the federal government, the provincial government, the City of Toronto and the people who run the TTC, and I think all of us are in wild emphatic agreement that we want these subway cars to be built in Thunder Bay,” Freeland mentioned, answering a media inquiring asking in regards to the procurement course of, provided that the TTC has but to place something out to tender.
“Canadians, Ontarians, have a fabulous manufacturing sector. We know how to build things in our country and in this great province. It absolutely makes sense for the people of Canada to build great subway cars for the city of Toronto.”
Greg Percy, the interim CEO for the TTC, confirmed the procurement has not but been launched, however they’re able to press ship, including it will likely be a aggressive course of and no firm has a preconceived benefit.
“There will be a notice going out on Monday, and by all means we’d be more than pleased to have Alstom as a serious competitor on the fleet, but it will be open more broadly as well.”
The present vehicles will flip 30 in 2026. The brand new vehicles aren’t anticipated to be accessible till 2030.
It is nice information, mentioned Justin Roberts, the president of Unifor Native 1075, representing employees on the Thunder Bay Alstom plant, moments after studying the information.
“That is nice information. It is nice to listen to that now we have the assist of the federal authorities. It is nice information the bidding course of for the subway vehicles will start,” Roberts mentioned.
“I am excited as a result of it appears like we are the favorite of the federal authorities. Now we simply must hope we’re giving a aggressive bid that makes monetary sense as effectively.”
The contract, if secured, is essential to sustaining Alstom’s continued presence in Thunder Bay.
Roberts mentioned the corporate is presently ramping up one contract and ramping down one other.
Mayor Ken Boschoff mentioned the information was music to his ears. Alstom stays one of many largest private-sector employers in Thunder Bay, a cornerstone to the town’s financial fortunes.
It must be a no brainer, the mayor added.
“We’ve essentially the most skilled employees, essentially the most environment friendly line, so I believe that would definitely auger effectively going into no matter must be accomplished subsequent. I’ve each confidence that this may be received. We’ve to succeed. There’s simply no different choices right here,” Boshcoff mentioned.
