Health and Safety First

I agree the Minister of Environment and Climate Change should designate the Ontario Line pursuant to section 9 of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). I disagree with Bill 171, which undermines due process, and allows “early works” to move ahead before an Environmental Impact Assessment is complete. I am concerned about the safety of the proposed 6 track corridor running through neighborhoods without sufficient setback. I do not believe Metrolinx has seriously measured or studied the noise and vibration generated by the planned 45-minute train frequency from 6 tracks of RER and Ontario Line trains, and the long-term impacts on human health and residential homes. In an area already identified as having one of Toronto’s lowest parkland per capita, the proposed Ontario Line will reduce the significant green space of 6 existing parks. Allowing this to happen in neighborhoods with increasing densification makes no sense.