toronto construction

Morning Brew: Toronto moves closer to a subway deal, an injection sites setback, more city debt, the tale of the abandoned Ferrari, and an offer to save Captain John's

Toronto could be inching its way toward an extension of the Bloor-Danforth line into Scarborough, according to the Globe and Mail. The report says a deal between the city and the province could come as early as next week if council decides to endorse replacing the aging RT at its meeting on Tuesday. The province had previously said the city would have to pay the entire cost of the line. Could Ford be about to deliver on a transit promise?

One thing the city most likely wont be getting is a supervised injection site despite the Board of Health voting 6-2 in favour of the idea. The feds, who have final say over whether the city provides a safe site for drug addicts, told the Star they have "no plans" to go forward with the idea. It's hoped providing clean needles and medical supervision will reduce health care costs and prevent accidental overdoses.

The city is in more debt under Rob Ford compared to previous mayor David Miller, though it may not entirely be his fault. The city is paying for new streetcars, road upgrades, and other costs, increasing its burden by $800 million. We are currently $3.7 billion in the hole, compared to $2.9 billion at the end of 2010. "I think we're fine," said Cllr. Frank Di Giorgio, the budget chief.

Turns out there's more to that abandoned Ferrari in the flooded underpass than meets the eye. The car belongs to Howard A. Levitt, a top employment lawyer, who was on his way to a case in Ottawa when he lost it in the rising water. Not to be deterred, Levitt ditched the car, caught his flight and won his case.

Not so lucky with their car in the water was Tim Rivers, who returned to his busted auto to find a $105 parking ticket. Rivers had to push his vehicle out of knee-deep water during the flood. Should he have to pay?

The passengers trapped for more than four hours on a flooded GO Train Monday night will get a $100 credit for their ordeal. The money is meant to cover the cost of dry cleaning and other expenses. Does that sound like enough to you?

Extra cops will be posted outside Toronto F.C. games in future, not because of crowd trouble but because drunk fans keep peeing everywhere. A local Atlantic Avenue resident complained to the club after several games ended in golden showers for his private parking area.

The Jadran - AKA Captain John's Restaurant - could be saved by a Vaughan millionaire who plans to refurbish the badly dilapidated ship turn it in to an entertainment venue. Branko Kavcic says he'll only get on board if owner John Letnik and the Toronto Port Authority issue a 15-year lease, something they're not willing to do.

Finally, of all the fake "Rob Ford crack videos" circulating online this one is probably the most enjoyable, especially if you're in to stop frame animation. Warning: vomiting clay creatures.

IN BRIEF:

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Jack Landau/blogTO Flickr pool.


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