The electrification of Metrolinx’s Georgetown line tunneled its way through to the top of community groups’ priority lists when asked what they believe is their most important municipal election issue in Ward 18 Davenport.

“There is much concern about Metrolinx’s plans to run diesel trains through the neighbourhood,” said Ann Homan, director of Dig In (Dupont Improvement Group: Improving Neighbourhoods), an organization whose initiatives contribute to sustaining a community that is green, clean, safe and civil by improving its social, environmental, cultural, economic and physical makeup.“This is very much a health and quality of life issue. It will require a strong councillor who understands government process and isn’t afraid to stand up for Ward 18 and Toronto against the province of Ontario.

Chair Donna Cowan stressed, “The rail expansion is very important as it will decide the fate of the neighbourhood – health-wise and urban design-wise.”

Members of the Junction Triangle Electric Rail Committee concur.

“We want a councillor to support (electrification),” said its co-founder Kevin Putnam, simply.

Asked what specifically they would do, if elected, to help their constituents in their fight for the electrification of GO Transit’s rail corridor, Ward 18 candidates presented a myriad of ideas. While those candidates – who responded by The Villager’s deadline – had different plans of action, they all said they support electrification.

Ken Wood, who lives “just a few hundred yards” from the tracks and suffers from asthma is “vehemently opposed” to Metrolinx’s current plans for diesel trains. He vows to do whatever it takes to make sure the provincial transit agency goes electric.

“Which could be engaging resources and the support of Dr. David McKeown, (Toronto’s) medical officer of health; using available avenues like environmental assessments and advocating city legal action,” he said.

Wood said he would rely on city resources, namely monetary, to educate citizens.

“I chained myself to a tree to stop the city cutting it down during the narrowing of Lansdowne Avenue. It’s been suggested I tie myself to the tracks in a similar protest,” he said. “I would not rule that out.”

Hema Vyas made an earnest promise to be “strong, clear and consistent in fighting for electrification.”

It’s important to have safe, reliable and affordable ways for both residents and visitors to get to and from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, said Vyas, but the Union Station – Pearson Airport Rail Link (ARL) needs to serve our communities in a healthy, environmentally responsible way.

“As councillor, I will also be working with other councillors along the corridor to make sure we have a loud, united voice against diesel trains,” she said.

As Ward 18 councillor, she would continue to work towards opening the lines of communication between Metrolinx and the community while supporting the campaign to make the airport rail link a “standard fare service.”

Kirk Russell lives “just two short blocks” from the Georgetown corridor. The father of two young children is asthmatic and so the subject hits – literally and figuratively – close to home.

“I can guarantee you that I will fight for any form of passenger train expansion that comes through the ward going forward to ensure it will be electrified.”

Russell called Metrolinx’s public consultation process “merely window dressing.”

“The final proposal was predominantly set in stone before the public was engaged at all,” he charged. “One of the things that we can try is to ensure that when comments are collected from people in public consultation processes that their addresses are attached to their submitted comments… to confirm that they live near the project area and that all comments go to the local councillor in addition to the provincial body.”

Joe MacDonald has been “unequivocal” in his position regarding the Air Rail Link.

“If it isn’t electrified from the beginning, I simply will not support moving ahead on the project,” he said.

As senior advisor to two Ontario Ministers of Transportation, MacDonald said he had the opportunity to work with CN, CP and the TTC on a number of issues.

“At the time, the Union-Pearson link was not a priority for anyone. Ridership numbers simply did not justify the development of this project. I am not yet convinced they justify the project even now. If the priority is to create a clean, efficient network of light rail mass transit option that moves people where they need to go, take people out of cars and provide a ‘backbone’ for future development, then there are important transportation options to be considered,” said MacDonald. “Forty-two thousand people work at Pearson Airport. It seems to me, providing a mass transit option for them is more important than providing a rapid transit option to far fewer users on the Union-Pearson run.”

If elected, MacDonald said he would lend not only his vocal support to stop the current plan, but would provide as much information as required by the Clean Train Coalition, which he called the lead advocacy group on the issue. MacDonald would work to “secure access to decision-makers at the provincial and federal government and aid in community research through his office.

“If elected, I would act as a community animator to build an unstoppable campaign favouring electric rail and staunchly opposing diesel train expansion,” said Frank de Jong. “Arguments made by a councillor, individual citizens or public pressure by community groups is great, but will unlikely sway Metrolinx. Only mass opposition to increased diesel trains will work. Metrolinx must hear that the citizens of Ward 18 will not under any circumstances allow additional diesel trains through our community.”

De Jong said he would join forces with the mayor and other city councillors as well as affected communities along the rail line to organize resistance.

“I would begin a petition gathering initiative in Ward 18 and other nearby wards, I would organize mass demonstrations, including civil disobedience to stop the diesel expansion plan. I would engage the arts community, the churches, the community associations, the merchants, businesses and seniors in this effort,” he said. “ Furthermore, I would work to defeat any seating MPP or MP who supports diesel, in upcoming provincial and federal elections. Metrolinx and the provincial government must hear that this entire community opposes diesel and will not take no for an answer.”

Doug Carroll wondered why this rail expansion is being considered. Is passenger traffic to the airport the only user of the new tracks, he asked. Carroll said he would examine “future traffic estimates” and the business case for adding the new service and compare that to existing services, which he said already work well.

“This could be seen as an elite waste of public capital in a time of need,” said Carroll, noting the high ticket cost of $15 to $20 for the ARL as opposed to the TTC’s $3 fare.

Carroll said he would cooperate with other wards and cities along the proposed route to “make a common basis for re-consideration, inform other cities of what the rail link will cost and attempt to broaden the grounds and support for opposition.”

As far as the environment is concerned. Carroll said, if elected, he would find a way to monitor the pollution emitted by diesel trains. He insists on electrification.

“Tier 4 engines don’t exist yet,” he said referring to emission standards. “They still pollute.”

Kevin Beaulieu has been active on the electrification file for years and says he has experience developing projects, working with communities to ensure that local needs are met and negotiating with Queen’s Park to secure support and funding.

“I have worked in transit as an advocate for change for years and understand the value of good planning and excellent transit service for riders,” he said. “I also understand that when given access to the facts the public will always fight for excellent transit.”

If elected, he promised to continue to work with the community to demand that important decisions by the province be made openly; ensure that the public will have access to information about the real costs, benefits and impacts; guarantee that all transit in Toronto is kept publicly owned and operated and that private involvement serves the public interest; build a region-wide network of electric rail lines with subways and street-level light rail complementing all day, two-way commuter rail.

“This will allow Torontonians the freedom to travel where they want, when they want reliably and in comfort,” said Beaulieu.

For both our health and the environment, Ana Bailão says it’s “absolutely imperative” that Ward 18 receives an electrified railway.

“As a community, we must be forward-thinking; conscious not only of the needs of today, but also of tomorrow,” said Bailão. “I believe that settling for diesel trains will result in huge expenses to the taxpayer for infrastructure that will be outdated the moment it is installed. Electrification, as demonstrated in Europe and East Asia, is efficient, sustainable and progressive enough to meet our transit needs of the future and our community cannot settle for less.”

Bailão said that if elected, she would work together with the community and demand that the Georgetown Rail Corridor is electrified so our neighbourhoods are not harmed by harsh pollutants; the rail link services people who live along the line; there is a discounted fare for local residents; the local station receives infrastructure improvements and the service is integrated with the TTC.

Metrolinx, the Government of Ontario, and The City of a Toronto must all be at the table for progress to be made, and “I assure you that, as councillor of Davenport, I will be at the table as well,” she said.

Also running is Mohammed Muhit and Joanna Teliatnik, who did not respond to The Villager’s request for comment by deadline, as well as Abdirazak Elmi and Nha Le, who could not be reached.

- Lisa Rainford

Posted in Bloor West - Parkdale, News