Here's what I don't get.
Clearly, as with the Wynne regime before; and others before that, this is essentially a delay tactic. Its a move to push the big spending out beyond this year or next etc.
Got it.
But, why not just chunk the lines; in the case of the Ontario Line, because its new, there's a minimum size to be of any utility (let's say what was was proposed Line 1 to Line 2).
But in the case of Scarborough, you can functionally extend the line one station at a time, and do so with a time frame of 4- years to Eglinton/Brimley, then 2 years for each subsequent station, so you phase the bill over 10 years to get to Sheppard, if that's the goal; and you can open 2 stations per political term, like clockwork, showing constant progress.
Likewise, there is actually an immediate advantage to taking Yonge north to Steeles, the opportunity to split the turn-backs would improve operations, plus additional in-line storage of trains and additional cross overs.
So just go to Steeles for now, and when you get there, keeping building the rest; by the time you get to RHC the Ontario Line/RL will be open.
This is just about amortizing costs correctly; and there's a failure to recognize the virtue in showing progress (even if its less progress); at a lower price point.