SOS Bulletin
Oct 3, 2007 --
The Election Question
As you all know, the provincial election is next Wednesday, October 10, 2007. There are always many issues in election campaigns and many reasons to decide who to vote for. But, let me explain why I believe that the St.Clair streetcar exclusive right-of-way remains the deciding issue for me.
First, I think government should be accountable for its actions. The current provincial government has allocated the necessary monies to the municipal government to enable the construction of this project. Without provincial government financial support, this $100M project would not be possible. The City does not have sufficient funds on its own.
Second, the current provincial government has further allocated $6B to Toronto to replicate the St.Clair ROW across the city on other transit routes, regardless of whether this specific option is appropriate in these areas.
Third, this provincial government included the St.Clair streetcar exclusive right-of-way in its infrastructure planning before the St.Clair transit environmental assessment was even completed. In other words, before there was an assessment of the potential impact of such a project, and before considering whether another alternative might improve transit more effectively, and before the community was engaged in the process, provincial government staff were working with the City staff to promote exclusive transit lanes on St.Clair.
Fourth, the provincial Minister of the Environment approved this project, rejecting community pleas not to, and since 2005 has ignored repeated requests to force the City and TTC to comply with the conditions imposed by the Minister, in contravention of the Environmental Assessment Act.
Fifth, I want responsible government, yet the cost of this project continues to climb and is apparently out of control. Remember, originally, this project was estimated to cost $32M, City Council approved $65M, and now the cost has climbed to $100M, with only about 1.5 km of the 6.4 km project almost completed. We are the only pockets for tax dollars; whether collected by the city, the province or the federal government, the money comes out of our pockets. This $100M project is unwise spending; the so-called transit 'improvement' is negligible, about a 1-minute savings for the average passenger trip. That's an expensive minute for the citizens of Toronto.
Sixth, I want sustainable communities, but the losses we are experiencing are staggering, both in terms of lost business taxes and the consequent decline in property values. Remember before this project started, the Bathurst/St.Clair area and to the west was touted as the 'next happening' area for new business start-ups and residential real estate. Now, today, walk along St.Clair west from Bathurst and count how many businesses have closed, including Harvey's and Budget car rentals. Shopper's and Second Cup report that their business is down by 20-30 percent. The Retro Cafe is now open only part time. The same negative effect is visible further east. Walk along St.Clair west from Avenue Road and note how many professional offices are 'for rent' because clients could not access their doctors, dentists and chiropractors. And this project hasn't even been completed; what's next? Adjacent residential neighbourhoods from Yonge to Bathurst are now experiencing increased traffic; this situation will only get worse.
Seventh, I want a safe community, but our community safety has been significantly compromised. The same neighbourhoods from Yonge to Bathurst are also experiencing increased response time for emergency vehicles that cannot access the neighbourhoods due to traffic congestion and the ROW concrete barrier. Accidents are occurring involving cars and pedestrians due to the poor design of the intersections and the confusing signage. Sidewalk cuts are so extreme that pedestrian safety is reduced, and eliminating street parking at rush hour results in increased traffic speed that again imperils pedestrian safety.
Eight, I want our government at all levels to respect the wisdom of the local community. I believe in local democracy. I believe that Toronto is at its best when the many neighbourhoods that comprise the city are vibrant and exciting. Our community demonstrated, from Yonge to Keele, that the vast majority of residents and businesses were opposed to this project, and that a cost-effective alternative that respected a necessary urban balance was available. We were ignored by David Miller and Dalton McGuinty.
In this election, for these reasons, I will vote for the candidate who will commit to stop this project. It is not too late. The Spadina Expressway/Allen Road was stopped at Eglinton by former Premier Bill Davis. We need a Bill Davis now.
My riding is Davenport. The only candidate who is opposed to this project and who has publicly committed to stop it is Antonio Garcia, candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. I cannot support the Liberal Party for the reasons listed above. I asked the NDP candidate his position, but he waffled. Earlier, his staff told me absolutely no, he would not intervene in a 'municipal' matter. And, I must admit that I cannot forget that it was David Miller and his band of merry NDPers who fought so hard to tarnish us and force this project ahead. So, on October 10, I will vote for Mr. Garcia.
All of you will decide for yourselves, and if you believe, as I do, that all politics is local, then please vote for the candidate who will fight to save our St.Clair!!
Best,
Margaret