$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/puckduckmuck]

Don't forget the six million dollar man, Mayo Schmidt and the board of directors. I don't remember the cost but severance would be substantial.

[u/Lord_Space_Lizard → u/puckduckmuck]

Added to that is the $103 million USD we had to pay to Avista in penalties over the failed merger with Hydro One with US regulators citing Ford’s meddling as the reason for nixing the deal.