No, they aren't interconnected underground malls, but they are publicly accessible underground walkways that would protect a pedestrian from the elements. They aren't pretty, but it's not as though the doors are locked or alarmed. And the North York tunnels weren't ever really much to look at. As I recall the one that takes you from the East to the West side of Yonge had low ceilings, dim lights, and exposed conduit.
I guess it's sort of like the Queen's Park or University Health Network tunnels. They aren't true PATH-style connections, but they do their job. Same goes for the RoCP connection, or City Hall (which goes through the parking garage, doesn't it?)