Letter to Metrolinx Chair

Dear Mr. Wright,

Thank you for your letter in response to our communication to you on June 22, 2021.

We have never disputed the construction of the Ontario Line and its many potential benefits. Similar to the lower income minority communities in Jane and Finch and Black Creek and Eglinton, your train yard has eliminated the opportunity for beneficial transit oriented development (see appendix 1 for example of TOD vision) on the over 15 acres of land being used for the train yard.

We differ in our opinion on the notion of a “sound decision making process” was followed.  Mr. Mackay’s August 11, 2021 response was absent of data and factual evidence, numerous nonsensical statements and did not address the alternative configuration provided by SaveTPARK (see appendix 2), an option that should have been short listed from the outset of this process.  

The Metrolinx response did not include any factual evidence to clearly justify your organization decision.  The entirety of your decision seems to be founded on City of Toronto’s job numbers.  SaveTPARK requested the job numbers from the City of Toronto which are in conflict with numbers used by your organization.  It is troubling that your entire decision was based on inaccurate jobs data.  As the Chair of the Board of Directors of Metrolinx, this should be equally as troubling to you.

For infrastructure projects of this magnitude, the burden of proof rests with Metrolinx to demonstrate that a thorough, well costed and well designed process was followed. To date no such evidence has been provided and your organization is passing that burden to our vulnerable community.

Addressing the alternative in an evidence based analysis remains the responsibility of your organization.  This analysis should stand up to full public scrutiny.  When can SaveTPARK expect your organization to complete this process?

Regards,

Aamir Sukhera

SaveTPARK

cc. Malcolm Mackay, Phil Verster