Metrolinx's plan for Riverside/Leslieville is unacceptable and shortsighted

Dear Minister Wilkinson,

I have been disheartened to see the original plans for the much-needed Ontario Line now has an above ground rail link planned through two of Toronto’s oldest and most diverse neighbourhoods - Leslieville and Riverside. I would plead that you review this proposal and insist that a federal impact assessment be done before any actions are taken.

The plans for SIX parallel rail lines will effectively ruin both neighbourhoods. It will build a huge divide separating the east end from the balance of the city to the west of us, decimate our trees, eliminate six parks, endanger the health and quality of life for those unfortunate enough to find them selves suddenly living alongside these new tracks – many of whom will not be in a position to move away from the estimated 800+ trains a day that will rumble by their homes spewing noise and air pollution in their wake.  

This short-sighted view needs to be revised and rethought immediately. If burying the Eglinton Line was good enough for the Leaside neighbourhood, then burying the Ontario Line should be good enough for Riverdale/Leslieville. Metrolinx’s “easy” solution is anything but. This plan will see dozens of new bridges needing to be build, the destruction of ALL our parks, the expropriation of swaths of private homes, the clear cutting of old growth trees, the massive disruption of core east/west transit lines like the Queen and Gerrard streetcar routes. 

Do you really want your legacy to include building the second Gardner Expressway – another concrete monstrosity that cuts and divides our green city?  Help us build the right sustainable transit solution that will preserve our neighbourhood and Toronto’s future as a liveable green city.

Bury then build the ENTIRE Ontario Line.