When concerns are ignored

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Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00

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When concerns are ignored r1 Toronto’s aging transit system can’t serve the city’s growing population, but rail line plans threaten to drastically alter tight-knit communities. ... BECOME A MEMBER Before we dive into this week’s must-read stories, pardon this brief bit of ~good vibes~ in Narlandia.

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It’s no secret that Toronto’s aging transit system can’t serve the city’s fast-growing population. So when new projects come along with the promise of alleviating congestion and reducing emissions, cheering them on may seem like the obvious choice.

But what happens when those proposed routes threaten to drastically alter tight-knit communities and concerns from residents are ignored?

That’s exactly what people in two neighbourhoods on the city’s east side say is happening, as provincial agency Metrolinx pushes ahead with plans for the Ontario Line rapid-transit route.

Reporter Megan Robinson began digging into the growing mistrust back in July, speaking with local residents who say they were blindsided by the plans. At risk is everything from a park that serves as a community hub to the displacement of a mosque and dozens of businesses. There’s also worry that increased noise and vibration from the trains could make some homes uninhabitable.

“I think Metrolinx’s general attitude is to find a way to get around the community,” transit advocate Steve Munro told Megan.

For its part, the agency says it plans to help local businesses relocate, but for longtime residents, there is worry that essential pieces of their neighbourhoods will disappear forever.

Go here to read Megan’s in-depth piece, which features captivating photos by Christopher Katsarov Luna, whose name will be familiar to fans of The Narwhal’s visual storytelling.

Take care and don’t take the easy way out,

Arik Ligeti
Audience engagement editor
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This week in The Narwhal

The ‘glaring gap’ in B.C.’s new climate plan
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