This comes in response to concerns from residents and community stakeholders who have expressed frustration about the lack of public engagement and communication from Metrolinx and the Provincial government on construction, traffic, tree canopy, and business impacts of this important new transit infrastructure.
As a public agency leading a large-scale and transformational project with city-wide impact, Metrolinx has to do better.
It is possible to build public transit for all, protect our public and green spaces, and minimize disruptions, by making the choice to work cooperatively with residents, community stakeholders, and local elected representatives. Metrolinx can make the choice to work with us.
This Sub-committee allows for residents’ concerns to be heard as work on the Ontario Line is scheduled to begin in May. And, it will allow the City of Toronto to set clear recommendations to Metrolinx and the Provincial Government on how to build and implement the Ontario Line to ensure the best results are achieved for Toronto residents in terms of design, construction and community benefit.
I am looking forward to our first meeting in March, which will begin with a staff report on the status, timeline, pedestrian and traffic management, and community involvement related to the Ontario Line.
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Since the beginning of the Ontario Place redevelopment process, the Province has had the power to impose their development plan. But the City has been determined to collaborate and find the best outcome for the future of these well-loved, well-used public lands.
At the start of their development application for Ontario Place, the Province agreed to respect the City’s planning review process and public engagement framework. Alongside City staff, I have worked to ensure the process is democratic and transparent. That means allowing the public to consider the proposal – and any changes – with full details and with facilitation of City staff in public forums – not through public relations messaging by one of the Province’s lease holders.
In a city like ours, we should be able to welcome people fleeing persecution and looking for a better life. The City of Toronto should have the resources committed by the federal government to do this – and it is unacceptable that is not the case.
