LRT upload: Discussions continue on a complex deal between Ottawa and the Province

Plus, what's the latest on Stage 3 LRT to Stittsville

I often get asked (especially by reporters and radio hosts) about any progress on Premier Ford’s commitment to transfer ownership (“upload”) of Ottawa’s LRT system to the province, likely via Metrolinx.

Mayor Sutcliffe and City staff have begun discussions with provincial officials, including the Premier, the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of Finance, and senior provincial staff. The upload was referenced in the most recent provincial budget as well.

The deal would transfer hundreds of millions of dollars in assets and liabilities and could generate tens of millions of dollars in annual operating savings for Ottawa, which would be reinvested into the bus system.

The size and complexity of the deal means that it will take a bit of time to complete. It would be great to get a deal in place before the end of this term of council, but the timeline is uncertain.

Last fall, City Council unanimously approved a motion to clarify some of the high-level principles and goals that we want to see reflected in any agreement. Here’s a copy of the motion.

Upload of LRT by the Government of Ontario

Moved by G. Gower

Seconded by M. Sutcliffe

WHEREAS the City of Ottawa, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada have invested $8.15 billion in Ottawa’s Stage 1 and 2 LRT project, based on a cost-sharing model that has seen Ottawa taxpayers contribute 55% of the overall cost of the project; and

WHEREAS in other large Ontario cities, like Toronto, Brampton, Hamilton and Waterloo, the Province and Metrolinx have built, own and maintain light-rail transit systems at little to no cost to local taxpayers; and

WHEREAS Mayor Sutcliffe has been advocating with the provincial government for the fair treatment of the City of Ottawa and its taxpayers for almost a year, especially as it relates to the ownership and maintenance of LRT assets; and

WHEREAS Premier Ford and Transportation Minister Sarkaria were in Ottawa on February 4, 2025 to announce a campaign commitment to upload Ottawa’s LRT, which Premier Ford reiterated in his speech on Election Day; and

WHEREAS in the provincial budget tabled on May 15, 2025, Minister Bethlenfalvy reiterated the Province’s commitment to pursuing the upload of Ottawa’s LRT;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and the City Manager enter into negotiations with the Province of Ontario regarding the upload of LRT, and that the following principles be foundational to those discussions and inform a future Agreement with the Province:

a. that a deal must be fair to Ottawa taxpayers and consistent with precedent deals reached in other Ontario municipalities;

b. that the governance structure of Metrolinx includes appropriate mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency for Ottawa residents;

c. that Metrolinx has a significant presence and adequate resources in Ottawa to meet its commitments to the City of Ottawa and OC Transpo;

d. that OC Transpo maintain local control over service delivery and hiring of personnel;

e. that any savings from reduced debt-servicing and maintenance costs be re-invested into OC Transpo;

f. that the value of Transit Oriented Development opportunities available along the LRT corridors be identified, assessed and factored into valuations;

g. that the Province consult and collaborate with the City of Ottawa and OC Transpo on the planning, design, procurement, construction, delivery and operation of Stage 3 LRT to Kanata, Stittsville and Barrhaven; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and the City Manager report back to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee on the status of their discussions as key milestones are achieved.

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Another frequently asked question from residents is the status of Stage 3 light rail to Stittsville. The current status:

• Stage 3 light rail (Moodie to Hazeldean in the west; Algonquin to Fallowfield in the south) is included in the Transportation Master Plan approved by City Council last June.

• In the west end, the route would run parallel to the Queensway, cross the highway at Canadian Tire Centre, and continue on elevated tracks to the last station, located at Hazeldean Road and Robert Grant Avenue across from the Chipotle.

• The money to build it would come from the federal and provincial governments. Along with a promise to upload the LRT, last year Premier Ford said that the province still wants to build Stage 3. Timeline and funding are still tbd.

• Rail Fans Canada produced a great video demonstrating the route and stations for LRT Stage 3 through Kanata and Stittsville. Worth watching.