Public Demands Accountability for Eglinton Crosstown LRT Fiasco
In a scathing series of letters published on February 10, 2026, residents and commentators across Ontario have unleashed a torrent of criticism against Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency. The focus of their ire is the beleaguered Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, a massive infrastructure undertaking that has become synonymous with delays, budget overruns, and broken promises.
Apologies and Compensation Demanded for Business Losses
Norman Shiffman of Toronto issued a direct call for the CEO of Metrolinx to offer a formal apology to the people who lost their businesses and suffered for years due to the project's protracted timeline. "One free day is a joke," Shiffman wrote, referring to any potential token compensation. He argued that the agency should pay the fares for all affected commuters for an entire month as a more meaningful gesture of contrition.
Shiffman's letter underscores the profound human and economic toll of the project's mismanagement. He labeled the agency a "disgrace," highlighting the lack of accountability for going significantly over budget and taking years longer than originally planned to complete the line.
Mounting Pressure for a Full Public Inquiry
The calls for accountability extend beyond mere apologies. Neil Staff of Whitby described the Eglinton Crosstown LRT as a "classic government boondoggle" and asserted that "if ever there was a need for a full-blown public inquiry, the fiasco of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is it." The project is reported to be six years behind schedule and approximately $1 billion over its initial budget, figures that have eroded public trust and devastated businesses along the Eglinton corridor.
Staff criticized what he sees as empty "moving forward" platitudes from officials, insisting that such a colossal failure cannot be swept under the rug. He called for Metrolinx to be either thoroughly overhauled or completely replaced, questioning the very foundation of the agency's creation.
Broader Concerns About Ontario's Competitiveness
The dissatisfaction transcends this single project, touching on broader issues of governance and economic competitiveness. Allan Leggate of Toronto pointed out that Ontario often boasts about its skilled workforce but fails to "walk the talk" when it comes to executing major projects on time and within budget.
"The Eglinton Crosstown is one of many projects which have failed to meet both budget and schedule targets," Leggate noted, expressing concern that such failures are tolerated by leadership. He argued that for Canada and Ontario to compete effectively in the global market, mere words are insufficient; demonstrable action and competence are required. He advocated for at least a full investigation, if not a full public inquiry, to uncover the root causes of these systemic failures.
A Pattern of Unanswered Questions and Frustration
Embedded within the letters is a palpable sense of frustration over the lack of transparency and consequences. Comments from the authors reveal a skepticism that any inquiry would lead to real change, with one noting that reports often "collect dust and nothing changes." Another emphasized that "to this day, no one has been held accountable," for the massive delays and the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars.
The collective message from these correspondents is clear: the mishandling of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project by Metrolinx has not only caused significant local hardship but also damaged the province's reputation for effective infrastructure development. The public is demanding tangible accountability, whether through apologies, financial compensation for those harmed, or a rigorous investigative process to ensure such debacles are not repeated in the future.
