By ANTONELLA ARTUSO, QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU CHIEF
The TTC may be legislated to keep rolling during labour disputes. (ERNEST DOROSZUK, Toronto Sun file photo)
Ontario is moving on Rob Ford's request that the TTC be designated an essential service.
The Dalton McGuinty government will introduce legislation later Tuesday that will keep the TTC rolling through labour disputes.
Labour Minister Charles Sousa will unveil details when he introduces the bill in the House later Tuesday.
"We have received a proposal from Toronto City Council," McGuinty said. "We have listened to them. We have talked to representatives of the workers as well. And, of course, we've heard from many Torontonians."
NDP MPP Peter Kormos said his party will be going over any such bill carefully, and warned that arbitrated settlements for TTC workers could end up costing taxpayers more than negotiated agreements.
Tory MPP Peter Shurman said his party would be inclined to look favourably on this type of request from the Mayor Rob Ford, but said his party had yet to debate the issue internally.