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Doug Ford Urges Federal Backing for $120B Highway 401 Tunnel Project

Ontario's premier appeals to Prime Minister Mark Carney for regulatory reform and funding to advance a tunnel proposal facing high costs and skepticism.

Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, left and Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives to take part in the First Minister Meeting at the National War Museum in Ottawa on Friday, March 21, 2025.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks to journalists during an availability in Mississauga, Ont., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Ontario Premier Doug Ford attends an availability in Mississauga, Ont., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Overview

  • Doug Ford has formally requested federal support for a multibillion-dollar tunnel under Highway 401, citing its potential to ease congestion and boost economic competitiveness.
  • The proposed tunnel is part of a broader list of 'nation-building' projects Ford has asked Ottawa to prioritize, including Ring of Fire mineral development and nuclear energy expansion.
  • Experts estimate the project could cost $60 billion to $120 billion, take decades to complete, and offer limited relief for Toronto's traffic congestion.
  • Ford's letter also calls for repealing the federal Impact Assessment Act (Bill C-69) and streamlining environmental reviews to expedite major infrastructure projects.
  • Opposition leaders criticize the tunnel as an impractical and costly 'fantasy' that diverts resources from more immediate priorities like housing and job support.