Clean Train Coalition | Transit for a Healthy City

On June 7, the Clean Train Coalition launched a "Clean Train Pledge" campaign which asked elected representatives from all levels of government to commit to taking action in favour of electrification.

As of today, 29 of the 33 representatives are signatories or have publicly declared they are advocating for electrification. This sends a very strong message to the Provincial Government:

Diesel-powered rail transit expansion is not acceptable in west Toronto!

The list of advocates includes Trustees from the impacted public and Catholic school board districts, City Councillors from wards along the rail line, the Mayor and main mayoral candidates, and Members of the Provincial and Federal Parliaments. We applaud their commitment to representing the will of the people to the government. We call on the goverment of Ontario to heed this unified voice. Metrolinx must be directed to electrify!

Furthermore, now that Metrolinx will be responsible for owning and operating the ARL (articles in: The Star, Globe and Mail, National Post), we expect the process to be more open to the public and more accountable. With SNC Lavalin no longer in the mix, this is between the people and their government, and the people have spoken out overwhelmingly in favour of electrification.

Advocates for Electrification:

City Councillor Cesar Palacio
City Councillor Gord Perks
City Councillor Adam Vaughan
City Councillor Frank DiGiorgio
City Councillor Adam Giambrone
City Councillor Pam McConnell
City Councillor Frances Nunziata
Mayor David Miller
Deputy Mayor/Mayoral Candidate Joe Pantalone
Mayoral Candidate Rocco Rossi
Mayoral Candidate George Smitherman
Mayoral Candidate Sarah Thomson
MPP Laura Albanese
MPP Cheri Dinovo
MPP Rosario Marchese
MPP Tony Ruprecht
MP Olivia Chow
MP Gerard Kennedy
MP Alan Tonks
MP Mario Silva
TDSB Trustee Irene Atkinson
TDSB Trustee Chris Bolton
TDSB Trustee John Hastings
TDSB Trustee Maria Rodrigues
TDSB Trustee Chris Tonks
TDCSB Trustee Sal Piccininni
TDCSB Trustee Barbara Poplawsk
TDCSB Trustee Rob Davis
TDCSB Trustee Catherine Leblanc-Miller

March 24, 2010
NOW Magazine - Dumb like diesel: Resident's eco concerns take a back seat to Pan Am Games in great train debate

March 23, 2010
The Toronto Observer - Forum attempts to clear the air on Georgetown rail expansion

March 23, 2010
Inside Toronto - Metrolinx meeting brings questions around electrification

March 22, 2010
The Toronto Star - Diesel rail a health hazard, forum told: Metrolinx vice-president grilled over expansion plans

The Clean Train Coalition is thrilled to announce that they have been chosen as the 2009 recipients of the Bob Hunter "Damn Fine Activist" Award. This award is given out on a yearly basis by the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) and will be presented by his family at this year’s Ecobunk Awards at the Lula Lounge on December 9, 2009.

“The Clean Train Coalition is honoured to receive this award in Bob Hunter’s name,” said Carina Cojeen, co-chair of the Clean Train Coalition. The Hunter family has continued to give out the award on a yearly basis, and this year marks the first time the award has ever been given to a group instead of to one individual. “The Clean Train Coalition owes its success to the thousands of Toronto residents who have worked together for a better city,” said Cojeen.

Read the full News Release >>

Clean Train Coalition is Not Taking No for an Answer

On October 5th, the Ontario Minister of the Environment, John Gerretsen, approved Metrolinx' plan to run over 450 diesel trains through west Toronto despite urgent requests from the Clean Train Coalition, the Toronto District School Board, the Medical Officer of Health, and thousands of concerned citizens for electrification of the corridor before any expansion of rail traffic is allowed. The Minister has attached some conditions, notably that Metrolinx use Tier 4 diesel trains.

Diesel exhaust is a known health hazard and any further pollution in Toronto's already overburdened airshed is not acceptable. Furthermore, while electric technology is available and would entirely eliminate the local heatlh risks, Tier 4 diesel trains do not yet exist. It is disappointing that the Minister didn't require Metrolinx to electrify the rail corridor, but the struggle is far from over.

On the up side, the decision by the Minister has finally vaulted our call for clean electric trains into the media spotlight. We've been covered by all the major newspapers, on most of the television networks, and on radio as well.

Here's a sample, and there are more links below.

The Minister's stipulation that Metrolinx use Tier 4 diesel technology confirms what we've been saying all along - there are unacceptable health risks associated with Metrolinx's proposal. It is unfortunate that, although the Minister recognizes the health risks associated with diesel, he still did not require Metrolinx to electrify the line, an alternative which would protect exposed communities from those risks.

NEXT STEPS

The Clean Train Coalition is not satisfied with the Minister's decision and we are not giving up our demand for immediate electrification of the Georgetown rail corridor.

The Coaltion has filed a formal complaint with the Provincial Ombudsman in response to Metrolinx's recent campaign of misinformation which attempts to mislead the public regarding the Medical Officer of Health's position on their proposal for the Georgetown corridor. Dr. McKeown continues to advocate strongly for electrification of the corridor. Metrolinx has grossly misused our tax dollars to misrepresent Dr. McKeown's position and mislead the public.

We are also planning further actions to protest the Minister's decision. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, please continue to send emails to or telephone Premier McGuinty and James Bradley, Minister of Transportation or your other local politicians and let them know how you feel about their government's plans to pollute your city and your community.

Thank you to everyone who has already made a financial contribution towards our efforts in fighting this battle. Unfortunately, the battle is still waging and we still need your help!! We are planning a fundraising event in the near future but you don't have to wait until then to help. All contributions are welcome and can be mailed to: Clean Train Coalition, 1974 Weston Road, Weston ON M9N 1W2. For more information, please email info@cleantrain.ca.