We'll find out in the spring how much it cost to cancel Hamilton's LRT: Metrolinx

The province's regional transit agency says it is working to determine the final cost to cancel Hamilton's light rail project and will make the figures public this spring.

A Metrolinx spokeswoman says the agency is currently working to close out remaining project contracts and expects to finish the process in the coming months.

The move has angered community members and opposition politicians who have demanded the province release details about the cost escalation and the price of scrapping the project.

Metrolinx has previously said it spent $186 million on planning and developing the line, including $80 million to purchase 60 properties.

Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney defended the cancellation earlier this week, saying instead the province will commit $1 billion to other transit projects in the city. She announced the cancellationin December, killing it amid a chaotic afternoonthat included a hastilycancelled news conference, city councillors facing downpoliceand Transportation Mulroney leaving the city with a police escort.

The province announced in January the makeup of a five person task force intended todecide how to spend the money.

The task force will decide by the end of February. It will be chaired by Tony Valeri, a former Liberal MP, employednow as vice-president of corporate affairsat ArcelorMittal Dofasco.Other members include RichardBrennan, a retired journalist,Anthony Primerano,director of government relations withthe Labourers International Union of North America (LiUNA),Saiedeh Razavi,director of the McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics andJanette Smith,Hamilton's city manager.