Ontario's Environment Minister John Gerretsen has given his seal of approval to Metrolinx's Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union to Pearson Rail Link project, albeit with strict conditions.Gerretsen's provision that all trains on the new rail line use state of the art engines that meet "Tier 4" emission standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency restricting diesel pollution levels as of 2015 is of little comfort to the Clean Train Coalition and its supporters.
"We didn't get what we wanted," said spokesperson Keith Brooks in an interview. "Electric trains are superior technology."
Although the new "Tier 4" diesel technology, in combination with low-sulphur diesel fuels, is expected to reduce particulate matter by 90 per cent while reducing nitrogen oxides by 80 per cent compared to current engines, it does not yet exist. And, there is no guarantee that it will exist by the time the rail expansion is implemented, according to the Clean Train Coalition.
Despite public outcry, which included a Sept. 26 rally in Sorauren Park that attracted at least a thousand people from across the city, Gerretsen greenlit the provincial transit agency's proposal to increase diesel traffic along its Georgetown rail corridor from its current 50 trains a day to more than 450.
"We're all unbelievably disappointed," said Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo. "The minister simply did not listen. I think that's what's most disappointing."
Toronto's Chief Medical Officer of Health David McKeown, who attended last month's rally, outlined specific health concerns.
"What we know about air pollution in Toronto is that any proposal now should pass a very stringent test before it goes forward. This proposal has not passed that test in my view," he said at the rally. "The study, conducted by Metrolinx itself indicates clearly that there will be impacts on air quality as well as health risks for those who live close to the line."
The Toronto District School Board, which commissioned its own environmental review, Toronto City Council and thousands of Ontario residents, according to the coalition, have all called for the immediate electrification of the corridor.
However, in his announcement, made Monday, Oct. 5, Gerretsen said that Metrolinx's project would improve air quality by enticing drivers out of their cars and onto state-of-the-art diesel trains. The engines on these trains "would meet the toughest emission standards when new technology is expected to be commercially available," said the statement.
Metrolinx's President and CEO Rob Prichard said he is pleased with Gerretsen's decision and would comply with his conditions.
"They are constructive and consistent with our commitment to mitigate any adverse impacts of the project on the surrounding communities," he said in a statement. "When completed, the Georgetown South Service expansion will make a major contribution to improved transit in the Greater Toronto Area, reduced congestion and better air quality."
The Clean Train Coalition said it would continue to fight for electric trains as did DiNovo, who said she would take her lead from the coalition.
"We'll have to continue to be activists," she said. "We still do have some time to stop it."