Junction Triangle

The following is an update from the Clean Train Coalition:

Hello everyone. Here’s a quick update on recent developments.

As most of you know, Metrolinx is undertaking a comprehensive study of electrification of GO Transit's entire network. This is expected to be completed by December 2010. The study will look at not only the economic costs and benefits of electrification, but also the social, environmental, and community impacts of electric trains versus diesel.

We welcome this study and fully expect it to recommend the electrification of the Georgetown Corridor. The truth is, electrification is the best economic choice, and these other important considerations will only bolster our case. Congratulations are in order, because this study has been initiated thanks to all the public pressure we have applied.

But the fight is far from over. We have to keep up the pressure. Once this study makes the business case for electrification, we need to convince our leaders to follow through. We need to tell them that we expect them to implement the study's recommendations, and that a failure to go with electric trains is fiscally irresponsible, morally bankrupt, and a costly political miscalculation.

Charting Our Course

We have been exploring a number of avenues since the MOE’s decision came down in early October, including filing a complaint with the Ombudsman, further deputations to the Toronto Board of Health, and continuing efforts to arrange meetings with Metrolinx and various government ministers. This weekend, members of the CTC are engaging in an intensive strategy planning session to map out the road ahead. We're excited about this opportunity and expect to emerge re-energized and re-focused. Expect to hear from us soon.

Interested in Becoming More Involved?

If you want to get more actively involved with the CTC, please come to our next meeting on Thursday, November 26 at 7:00pm, at Fern Public School, 128 Fern Avenue in the Roncesvalles Village area.

And our sincere apologies to those of you who showed up for a meeting last week. We rescheduled that meeting until after this weekend's planning session, and failed to remember that notice of that meeting had been sent out with our last update. We’ll try not to make that mistake again!
If you can’t make it to the meeting on Nov. 26, but are interested in helping out, you can also email info@cleantrain.ca and let us know how you’d like to be involved.

December 4 - Save the Date

Our friends and supporters, The Clean Train Student Coalition, are planning a rally and march on December 4th. The Electric Youth Rally is being planned by students at Guelph-Humber College, and is intended to highlight how this plan will impact today's youth, who will inherit this legacy. All are welcome. More details to follow.

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.ca