Toronto Public Health and the Board of Health are hosting a public forum on Metrolinx’ proposals to expand GO Transit’s Georgetown line and build a rail link from Union Station to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
While the Board of Health supports expanding public transit as a way to reduce vehicle traffic, it is concerned about health risks and the impact on air quality of using diesel to support transit services.
The forum, “All Aboard? Diesel, electric and clean air: Which way forward?”, takes place on Monday, March 22, from 6:30 until 9 p.m. in Toronto City Hall Council Chamber, 100 Queen Street West.
During the forum, a panel of experts on transportation, health and the environment will discuss the issues. Then, you’ll have a chance to ask the questions and add your voice to the discussion.
Eva Ligeti, the executive director of the Clean Air Partnership is moderating the event.
Panelists include Gary McNeil, the executive vice president of Metrolinx, Professor Christopher Kennedy, a transportation infrastructure expert, and Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health. The event organizers have also invited the Honourable John Gerretsen, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment to take part.
You can find out more about Metrolinx’ proposals to expand the Georgetown South rail corridor and to build a link between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Union Station here.
You can find out more about Metrolinx’ study of “electrifying” — operating trains with electric power, instead of diesel — all GO Transit train lines here.
You can find out more about the Clean Train Coalition, a group against Metrolinx’ plans to operate diesel trains along the corridor here.
This week, Ontario’s Minister of Transport, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, confirmed that her government intends to have the Union - Pearson rail link operating in time for the 2015 Pan American games in Southern Ontario. From the Transit Toronto Newspaper Article Clippings archive, read:
- Toronto Star article, “Province vows airport rail link by 2015”, here.
- Toronto Star article, “Boats eyed as Pan Am transit”, here
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