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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