TORONTO

Mayor Rob Ford says everything is “unravelling as it should” with Toronto’s push for subways — and that’s a good thing.

Council voted last month to push ahead with an extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway line into Scarborough rather than the planned and fully-funded Scarborough LRT. The project is still short around $400 million in provincial cash and any funding commitment from the federal government.

Ford said he’ll be talking subways with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Thursday night during a barbecue in Sunnybrook Park with the Conservative faithful.

“I’ve talked to (Finance) Minister (Jim) Flaherty a few times,” Ford said. “I’m glad things are unraveling like they should — that’s what the taxpayers want, they want subways.

“I’m glad that the provincial government sees it that way and that the federal government is supporting it. We’re going to get it.”

A spokesman for the mayor later confirmed that things aren’t “unravelling” and that “talks are ongoing and proceeding well.”

Aside from subways, the mayor said he planned to talk about a number of issues with Harper.

“It’s mainly Minister Flaherty (on the subway issue) but it is better that the big boss knows and we’ll take it from there,” Ford said.

At the barbeque, speaking with a huge Canadian flag as the backdrop, Harper trumpeted the support his party enjoys in the GTA, highlighted their accomplishments and promised a balanced budget in 2015 while also mentioning the contributions from the feds towards building the Spadina subway extension to Vaughan, York Region and Mississauga transit; the rejuvenation of Union Station; the tunnel to Billy Bishop Airport and the renewal of the Toronto waterfront.

In front of Ford and other dignitaries, a late-arriving Harper also took a few swipes at the official opposition NDP, as well as the Liberals and the political pundits who termed Toronto, especially the 416, a “Conservative wasteland.”

Harper pointed out that the Conservatives have every seat in Halton, Peel and Durham regions except one and the most seats in the city of Toronto itself.

“Some wasteland,” Harper scoffed. “Some pundits.”

Harper also promised to strengthen the criminal justice system, particularly when it comes to prosecuting violent offenders and sexual predators who target children.

Harper will introduce a bill focusing on child pornographers and offenders this fall that will force those convicted to serve their terms consecutively.

The prime minister told the adoring throng at Sunnybrook Park that his government has now delivered on 84 of 100 promises made during the 2011 election.