The Ontario government has asked for information about Union Station and TTC operations as part of negotiations with the city over the province’s proposed subway upload, sparking concerns among critics that Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government is contemplating a wider takeover of Toronto’s transit system than it has publicly disclosed.

The Ministry of Transportation issued a request to the city for data about Toronto’s transit system on Feb. 12. The province says it requires the information in order to help execute its stated goal of taking ownership of the TTC subway system.

Council voted in December to authorize the city to share information about its transit system when it agreed to talks with the province, and, according to the terms of reference the two sides agreed to, the goal of the exchange is to “establish a mutual understanding” of the value of TTC subway assets, deferred maintenance and operating costs.

A copy of the ministry’s request, which the Star obtained through freedom of information legislation, shows that while the government asked for specific information about the subway network, including asset audits, capital program materials and TTC board decisions about maintenance and expansion projects, it is also seeking documents related to the broader transit system.

The exhaustive five-page “draft preliminary list,” marked as confidential, includes requests for documents about TTC property transactions, capital projects related to the bus and streetcar divisions, and Presto fare card data.

Ministry of Transportation information request View document on Scribd

The province made several requests for records related to Union Station, including budget documents, council decisions, and reports about the rail facility in the heart of downtown. It specifically requested documents about the $823.9-million revitalization project Union Station is undergoing.

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The list of requested information also includes details about TTC service, such as operating budgets, ridership data, service plans and even subway and streetcar operating manuals.

The Ontario government has not expressed any intention of taking over Union Station, which is owned by the city, and the province has also consistently asserted it would allow the TTC to continue running transit service as part of any upload.

Asked about the request Friday, Mike Winterburn, a spokesperson for Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek, said in an email the province hasn’t changed its plans.

“Nothing to see here but two parties honestly grappling with real technical issues,” he wrote.

“Several stations, most notably Union, are hubs for multiple modes of transportation. We’re trying to learn everything we can about these assets, so that we can have a fact-based discussion with our municipal partners about the best way to achieve the upload,” Winterburn said.

“We have been clear that, under an upload, the city and the TTC would continue to be responsible for day-to-day operations. Our request for operating manuals and other technical documents reflects our interest in gaining a better understanding of how the city’s and the TTC’s operations will interact with provincial ownership.”

But Councillor Josh Matlow (Ward 12, Toronto-St. Paul’s) said it’s clear the province is overreaching.

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“What the province is now asking for goes far beyond the subway. They’re asking about Union Station. They’re asking for user manuals for our surface lines. They’re going above and beyond what the initial discussion was ostensibly about,” he said.

Matlow contends the Ford government isn’t interested in improving transit, but merely wants to take over the network to sell off assets such as development rights around subway stations.

Although city legal staff have advised council that Toronto has no legislative ability to prevent Ontario from taking ownership of the subway network, Matlow argued the extent of the information the province seeks provides an opportunity to the city to prevent, or at least delay, the subway takeover by not agreeing to supply the data.

“I believe strategically that we need to be able to survive the next three-and-a-half years until we have a government that actually wants to support Ontario’s capital city. And the longer it takes for Doug Ford to figure out how to rip up our transit system, the better,” he said.

Ontario NDP transit critic Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale) said the information request made her fear “the Ford government is building its case to sell off and privatize the subway lines and potentially Union Station.”

“That is very concerning to me,” she said.

Lawvin Hadisi, a spokesperson for Mayor John Tory, wouldn’t say whether the mayor has concerns about the scope of the province’s request.

“City council has established a formal process to discuss transit that both the city and province have agreed to. And the mayor has been clear that if any transit proposal isn’t a good deal for Toronto, he will oppose it,” she said.

City spokesperson Brad Ross said the city provided a preliminary response to the province’s request on March 6 that summarized what information was already publicly available, but staff are still reviewing the balance of the ministry’s list, including the sections related to Union Station and TTC operations.

“Only information determined to be within the scope of this exercise will be shared with the province,” Ross said.

The Ontario government contends the upload would improve the region’s transit system because the province has greater financial powers than the city and could more efficiently finance subway maintenance and expansion projects. Despite voting to enter into talks with the province, a majority of councillors oppose the upload, arguing that separating ownership of the subway system from the bus and streetcar network would lead to worse service.

The province has already shown a willingness to move quickly on its plan. On May 2, Yurek pre-empted the outcome of talks with the city and introduced legislation that would enable Queen’s Park to assume responsibility for future transit projects in Toronto.

The discussions between the province and city are focused on the Ford government’s plan to take ownership of the subway network as it is now.

Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering transportation. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr

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