Letter to Dalton McGuinty - Invitation to Meet Re: Diesel Train Service Expansion

August 8, 2012

Mr. Dalton McGuinty
Premier
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1

Re: Invitation to Meet Re: Diesel Train Service Expansion in West Toronto

Dear Mr. McGuinty:

Like a number of residents in the Junction Triangle in West Toronto, I am dismayed by the actions of your government related to the expansion of diesel train service and the Pearson airport rail link.

After years of delay and misinformation, the government’s own consultant stated clearly at a Metrolinx public meeting on June 27 that there are no technical issues preventing the construction of an electric rail airport link except the political will. Construction could be completed in time for the Pan Am Games (three years) and cost about $400-million.

It is regrettable that no member of your government attended this meeting to answer questions. During the past several years and repeated attempts to meet, no member of your government has ever attended a public meeting to address the concerns of Junction Triangle residents. As we experienced on June 27, a government agency and hired consultants with no decision-making authority have been put forward to deflect questions.

There are many good reasons to expand public transit, but nothing suggests rushing to install diesel technology in time for a two-week sporting event will have any benefit for the people in West Toronto forced to live with this legacy for the next generation.

Despite policy differences, you have always struck me as a pragmatic and reasonable person. Could we arrange a time to meet with you and the Transportation Minister to discuss this matter? Many thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Kevin Putnam
Junction Triangle Rail Committee

Cc. All members, Junction Triangle Rail Committee
JunctionTriangle.ca

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I am excited to see the

I am excited to see the result of the public meeting to address the concerns of Junction Triangle residents. I think they need to drop this assessment. Diesel engine will consume lot of energy and also causes environmental pollution. Keep updating. stress balls

Transportation Minister Meeting Feedback

Below is the feedback from the local participants who met yesterday with the Minister of Transportation. We thank the Minister and Metrolinx CEO for taking our request for a meeting seriously and we also thank local Councillor Ana Bailao for being at the table with us. I expect she will have her own thoughts on the meeting some time soon.

====

Kevin Putnam.....

While there are no major announcements or breakthroughs to announce from today's meeting with Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli and Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig, there was some movement on the issue of the five metre Noise Walls.

Two other Junction Triangle residents Scott Dobson and Richard Mongiat, along with our City Councillor Ana Bailao, also attended the meeting this morning. This was the first opportunity for any residents to ask a member of the government about their rail policy. Up until this point, we have only dealt with a government agency (Metrolinx) and paid consultants.

The Minister stated his support for electric rail and said that it is his government's policy to electrify the Georgetown South corridor following a timetable outlined by Metrolinx. Minister Chiarelli s
tated that the diesel air rail link is just a temporary situation. Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig said that they are aiming to luanch electric rail in 2017. So they are holding the line, building diesel for the Pan AM Games, with a promise of electric trains at a later date.

We discussed the five metre high Noise Walls that will line large sections of the 23 kilometre route through West Toronto. There is a debate whether the walls are necessary with electric trains. We asked the Minister to only build these walls on an "as needs basis." With conflicting views about their necessity, it was agreed that a special technical meeting will be convened by Metrolinx to determine the need for noise walls with electric trains (details to follow).

The Minister has agreed to meet again. Perhaps Richard and Scott will have more comments to add.

=======

Richard Mongiat
There were two important things that I came away from this meeting with. First, It was made clear by us (and eloquently reinforced by Councillor Bailao) that the Minister and the government need to be far more vocal about their commitment to electrification. That and a proud policy to promote the greening of the rail lines would go a far way to convincing weary residents that this is their actual goal for 2017.

Second, concerning the walls, I agree with Kevin that the Minister seemed surprised by the notion that not all residents up and down the corridor were in support. He was being advised by Metrolinx that they were. He asked if we were willing to provide him with the information that this was not the case - and not just in our neighbourhood but along the rest of the Toronto corridor. I asked if the form of a petition would be acceptable and he agreed.

I think now would be the time for all of the groups supporting electrification, from Parkdale to Weston, to work together to collect the names of residents opposed to these enormous walls. It would be nice to be able to present the Minister with a stack of signed petitions and say - you asked for it Minister - you got it! It's time to win a battle in this war...

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Scott Dobson

This meeting presented the first opportunity for Junction Triangle to meet face to face with the people who actually make the real choices about this issue.We all agreed that electrification is the best way to go and that electrified transit fits with the governments other green energy initiatives. The minister made clear his desire to have electrification underway by 2017. Some of my additional takeaway was:

-That we all are on the same page in terms of the benefits of electrification.

-The Minister was shown maps that explained JT's unique history and connection to the 3 lines that surround us and this helped show why we take this issue so seriously.

-It became clear to the Minister that the governments electrification plans are not clear or strong enough, and, due to how the community has been treated in the past, not trusted

-Although there was much agreement, our group was clear and precise about areas where the evidence is different from what Metrolinx has said. Our position on Tier 4 and other issues proved to be based on science rather than emotion.The conversation covered many other transit issues and I think our community was seen as a pro transit community with many ideas and a willingness to get behind any transit plan that makes sense.

-The importance of greening the grid for transit expansion and the fact that diesel is not a long term solution for transit propulsion was understood by all.

- In terms of the walls the Minister seemed as confused as we are about Metrolinx's science on them, the lack of comparison of need if electric trains are used instead, the rollout process and the support/protest of them. The Minister, was interested in our point that Metrolinx claims electric trains are not quieter than diesel trains, which is at odds with what every other rail system claims. He suggested that a meeting on technical data is needed and clarification about difference in noise levels was in order. He stated that communities who do not want the walls should speak up. The impact of these walls on Railpath and communities and the potential graffiti issue was noted too.

-It was brought up as well that Metrolinx has never held any of it's meetings within JT and all agreed that it was time for that to change.

-The minister quizzed on us on our opinions on other transit issues and we talked about what have seen in other countries. We all agreed that Toronto has fallen way behind over the last 30 years in terms of transit implementation.

Finally we agreed on more than we disagreed on we hope that when the Electrification EA is done that the government will show that they are as excited about electrification as we are and get the job started. Junction Triangle was well represented and Ana Bailao was a big factor in making our presentation thoughtful, direct, and respectful.

RE: Post by Richard Mongiat

Richard wrote :
"Second, concerning the walls, I agree with Kevin that the Minister seemed surprised by the notion that not all residents up and down the corridor were in support. He was being advised by Metrolinx that they were. He asked if we were willing to provide him with the information that this was not the case - and not just in our neighbourhood but along the rest of the Toronto corridor. I asked if the form of a petition would be acceptable and he agreed"

I hope if a petition when and if it's circulated that it's done right. Again CTC and many of the elected officals have failed to inform or provided information to residents in other languages other then english regarding electrification or the wall. I myself have spoken to the Ministers office and shared my concern. This in some ways has become political and politicians have used this to personal gains, specially the NDP"s having the lawn signs about clean train/electrification with there names on it. Anyway, I tell you their are many people still out there in the hood who don't know about clean train or the wall. I think another question that should be added to the petition might surprise you uwhen you are door knocking is ask "DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CLEAN TRAIN, ELECTRIFICATION vs DIESEL or the WALL"

JTR not CTC

The meeting was with the Junction Triangle Rail Committee and the Minister not the Clean Train Coalition.

The issue is very complex and it is hard to overcome the happy taxpayer funded newsletters that come week after week from Metrolinx. They never mention any controversy. It should be noted that Metrolinx was sanctioned by the Advertising Standards Council for misleading copy in their flyers.

The reality is that people are busy BUT the more they know, they more they want electric trains.

Meeting with the minister and metrolinx

Yes, CTC knew about the meeting but as it had been arranged by JTRC and we were not on the invite list, we looked forward to hearing the good news.

Transportation Minister Meeting Today

While there are no major announcements or breakthroughs to announce from today's meeting with Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli and Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig, there was some movement on the issue of the five metre Noise Walls.

Two other Junction Triangle residents Scott Dobson and Richard Mongiat, along with our City Councillor Ana Bailao, also attended the meeting this morning. This was the first opportunity for any residents to ask a member of the government about their rail policy. Up until this point, we have only dealt with a government agency (Metrolinx) and paid consultants.

The Minister stated his support for electric rail and said that it is his government's policy to electrify the Georgetown South corridor following a timetable outlined by Metrolinx. Minister Chiarelli stated that the diesel air rail link is just a temporary situation. Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig said that they are aiming to luanch electric rail in 2017. So they are holding the line, building diesel for the Pan AM Games, with a promise of electric trains at a later date.

We discussed the five metre high Noise Walls that will line large sections of the 23 kilometre route through West Toronto. There is a debate whether the walls are necessary with electric trains. We asked the Minister to only build these walls on an "as needs basis." With conflicting views about their necessity, it was agreed that a special technical meeting will be convened by Metrolinx to determine the need for noise walls with electric trains (details to follow).

The Minister has agreed to meet again. Perhaps Richard and Scott will have more comments to add.

Transportation Minister Agrees to Meet

Just in! The Minister of Transportation has agreed to meet with the Junction Triangle Rail Committee. The Minister sent a lengthy letter today outlining his position on electrification and agreeing to meet. His letter and meeting details will be posted shortly.

Transportation Minister's Letter

You can now find the complete text of the Transportation Minister's letter accepting our invitation to meet by clicking the attachment above or going here https://www.junctiontriangle.ca/sites/junctiontriangle.ca/files/MOT%20Let...

Transportion Minister Meeting Confirmed

Our meeting with the Minister of Transportation is now confirmed for Wednesday, November 14. Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig will also be attending the meeting.

Great work!

Great work!

Transportaion Minister Meeting this Wednesday

Members of the Junction Triangle Rail Committee are meeting with Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli on Wednesday at Queen's Park. Do you have a message for the Minister? If there is one point you would want to make with Mr. Chiarelli, let us know. This is the first opportunity for area residents to discuss the train issue directly with a member of the provincial government, so we will do our best to pass along neighbourhood concerns.

This is good news, One thing

This is good news,

One thing I'd suggest is perhaps, if possible, ask Kathleen Wynn to attend, she's on record, while campaigning for liberal leadership and talking about the cancelled gas plants in Mississauga / Oakville, she said that "engaging the community earlier is something that should have been done to avoid the current issue" that occured out there and avoid such things from happening again.

I think as the past transport minister, and given her perspective now that she wants the top job, she ought to speak on her role and action (lack there of) that caused this issue on the ARL, and how will this current issue of diesel trains be fixed, considering she has admit the past gov't implementation was seriously faulty and will change / be rectified in her vision as leader

Bob Chiarelli are you out there?

Same old Dalton. He blew a minimum of 180 million dollars cancelling a power station to win an election but cant find 400 million to electrify the airport link even though Metrolinx says it can be done in time for the Pan Am games and will generate more revenue and save money on operation costs.

Hello earth to Dalton.

I emailed Bob Chiarelli, the minister of Transportation that nobody has ever seen in person and invited him to visit us so we can go over the fact that his own agency, Metrolinx, no longer agrees with him. Based on past performance I am not holding my breath, but come 2015 I may have to.

Premier's Reply

The Premier sent this reply today in response to our letter of August 8 concerning the massive expansion of diesel trains along the Georgetown corridor:

August 28, 2012

Mr. Kevin Putnam
Junction Triangle Rail Committee

Dear Mr. Putnam:

Thank you for your letter on behalf of the Junction Triangle Rail Committee regarding the air rail link from downtown Toronto to Pearson International Airport. Your committee's views are important to me, and I appreciate your taking the time to share them.

As the issue you raised falls within the area of responsibilitty of my colleague the Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Transportation, I have forwarded a copy of your correspondence to him. Either the minister or a member of his staff will provide you with a response.

Thank you again for writing. Please accept my best wishes.

Yours truly,

Dalton McGuinty
Premier

Cc. The Honourable Bob Chiarelli