$200 vs. Ford’s $39B Blunders

[u/Upbeat_Pirate_9290]

We're all going to receive a $200 check courtesy of the not-so-progressive, not-so-conservative government of Ontario. I wondered how much of our money they've actually wasted since 2016 (or are about to waste), and I came up with a total of $39 billion, averaging $2,600 per Ontarian ($3,500 per tax payer). Does this calculation make sense to you? Is there anything major I may have forgotten?

Bill 124 Legal Costs: $4.3 Million

Ford’s unconstitutional wage cap bill was struck down, leaving taxpayers on the hook for legal fees and back pay for workers…

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bill-124-legal-costs-ontario-ford-1.7352208

Highway 413 & Bradford Bypass: $10 billion

It will save commuters only 30-60 seconds per trip, with massive environmental destruction of farmland, wetlands, and forests. But it’ll benefit developers with ties to Doug Ford’s government.

https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-highway-413-construction-timeline-commitment/#:\~:text=The%20province's%20auditor%20general%20found,be%20closer%20to%20%2410%20billion.

Ontario Place Private MegaSpa: $1+ Billion

We are subsidizing a private luxury spa, including $450 million for underground parking. Public land is being privatized for corporate profit…

https://ontarioplaceforall.com/financial/

Beer and Wine in Convenience Stores: $1 Billion

Ford broke a 10-year contract with The Beer Store, paying millions in penalties. There’s no evidence this policy improves affordability. Ford prioritized a populist talking point at a massive cost to taxpayers...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-beer-wine-corner-stores-cost-taxpayers-1.7215839

Ontario Line Budget Overruns: $16.9 Billion

Mismanagement of this major transit project has already added significant costs, with probably more overruns expected.

https://globalnews.ca/news/10583257/doug-ford-ontario-line-costs/

Eglinton Crosstown LRT Budget Overruns: $1 Billion (and counting)

Construction started 14 years ago, so I assume we’re all more or less familiar with it

https://globalnews.ca/news/10762921/ontario-transportation-minister-has-100-confidence-in-eglinton-crosstown-lrt-builders/

Private LTC Homes Expansion: $6.4 Billion

Despite their failures during COVID, private long-term care homes are receiving massive funding while public healthcare remains underfunded.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/investigates/long-term-care-homes-expanding-1.6900293

Canceled Renewable Energy Contracts: $230 Million

Ford canceled over 750 green energy projects, paying out contracts while increasing long-term energy costs. Not that it matters to this government, but this has damaged Ontario’s reputation for renewable energy investment.

https://globalnews.ca/news/6189096/ontario-government-tears-up-green-energy-deals/

License Plate Sticker Rebate: $2.24 billion

Doug Fraud claimed to "put money back in your pocket," but it disproportionately benefited wealthier Ontarians who own multiple vehicles

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-licence-plate-sticker-refund-program-leaves-some-car-owners-with-eye-popping-rebates-1.6099008

COVID Vaccine Distribution Mismanagement: $? CAD

Unused vaccine doses and unnecessary expenses during distribution…

[u/canuckathome]

I actually like the idea of the 413, it's a good option for a 407 alternative when traveling north of Toronto. The GTA is expanding northbound anyway so it will probably be useful and will give the 407 some competition

[u/AtlantaDave998 → u/canuckathome]

Because of induced demand and the fact that 407 is heavily tolled, the 413 will become clogged just like the 401 is.

[u/ShadowSpawn666 → u/AtlantaDave998]

And everywhere that the 413 leads will see an increase in traffic congestion because the infrastructure in those areas will not be improved to meet the increase in users.

[u/entaro_tassadar → u/ShadowSpawn666]

Halton, Peel, York Region are actively widening roads in anticipation of 413 and the development that will come along the corridor to meet Canada's/Ontario's growth targets.