Ottawa mayor seeks double transit funds from Ontario

Mayor Larry O'Brien is asking the Ontario government for twice as much money for the city's proposed rapid transit project.

The city originally proposed that the project should be split three ways between the municipal, provincial and federal governments.

But the Ontario government recently revealed it could pay up to two thirds of the cost of light rail in Kitchener-Waterloo.

"I say we want more money as well," O'Brien told CBC News Friday. "At the time we applied, all that was available was one-third one third one-third. Now that all is open, I think our application will be for two- thirds of the funding for our system."

If the province agreed, and the federal government still contributed its one third share, the city would get a free ride.

Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson, who is Liberal MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean, said that's not going to happen.

"I think they have to have some skin in the game as well," he said.

He added that he's not ready to commit any transit funding to Ottawa.

"We have to figure out what is the transit plan and how much is it going to cost because I've said many times we're not going to give a blank cheque to any municipality."

Alex Cullen, the city councillor for Bay ward and chair of the city's transit committee, said the city will "put in our share," but local taxpayers need more help.

"At the end of the day, it's to the benefit of all levels of government to get this project in place," he said. "And they have the resources that we don't have."