The Ontario budget, which was tabled yesterday afternoon, has an allocation for the Lakeshore East extension of the GO Train to Bowmanville.
However, the specific amount allocated has not been mentioned in the media statements issued following the budget presentation. The provincial parliament adjourned after the presentation, and the budget will be passed after the upcoming elections.
Building highways and key infrastructure is a key pillar in the government’s plan, the statement said while mentioning the Bowmanville GO Rail Extension, as one of the highlights.
Ontario plans investments over the next 10 years totalling $158.8 billion, including $20 billion in 2022–23.
Of this, the province will be investing $61.6 billion over 10 years for public transit, including:
- The Bowmanville GO Rail Extension
- Breaking ground on the Ontario Line
- Advancing planning work for the Sheppard Subway Extension
- Planning and design work for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension to Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Weekday GO Rail trips between London and Union Station in Toronto
- Passenger rail service to Northeastern Ontario.
“For too long, the people of Ontario have been stuck in gridlock, with thousands of hours wasted on packed trains, or behind the wheel in bumper-to-bumper traffic, costing billions to the province’s economy. This has to change. The government is getting shovels in the ground to build highways, transit and other infrastructure projects to fight gridlock, boost the economy and create jobs,” said the statement.
Key to Durham economic recovery
“The approval of the Lakeshore GO East Extension to Bowmanville is key to our economic recovery,” said Regional Chair and CEO John Henry yesterday. He was speaking before the budget presentation, at the 2022 Annual Regional Chair Luncheon for the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade, Clarington Board of Trade, Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and Whitby Chamber of Commerce.
He said the extension is important for creating jobs, stimulating the economy, connecting people to work and education opportunities and building complete, livable, affordable, walkable communities.
“We will be ready when the Lakeshore GO East is approved, which we’re expecting to hear in a few short hours with the announcement of the provincial budget. We accelerated the Regional Official Plan amendment for Protected Major Transit Station Areas,” he said adding “And, we have been working closely our local municipalities, Metrolinx and the Ministry of Transportation on a Station Implementation Strategy.”
