My husband and I were…

My husband and I were extremely disturbed to recently learn that Metrolinx is seeking from the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks a permit that will allow them to bypass their obligations under the Endangered Species Act (2007) in the construction of the Yonge North Subway Extension (YNSE). Their rationale for requesting this permit is that the new subway will bring significant socio-economic benefit to the province. A number of species at risk as well as endangered (at immediate risk of extinction) species have been identified in the area proposed for the YNSE. We understand that if this permit is issued to Metrolinx, they will only need to provide reasonable alternatives to avoid adverse effects on species and their habitats. This means Metrolinx can remove habitats and species when building the subway. This is totally UNACCEPTABLE. Rules and regulations are made for sound, defensible reasons. They are meant to be adhered to and the Endangered Species Act is no exception. Metrolinx should not be trying to circumvent the process by applying for this ‘special’ permit. The environment, species and their habitat (particularly species and habitat that are endangered or at risk) must be respected and protected whenever possible. Species that go extinct are gone FOREVER. These reasons alone should dictate that Metrolinx show due diligence and fulfill their obligations under the Act.

There is also further evidence of a flawed process in Metrolinx’s application for this permit. The Environmental Assessment documents that are posted on https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-4075 are those from several years ago when the ORIGINAL proposed alignment of the YNSE was on Yonge Street. Information on the website states the following:

We are not required to consult the public on this permit proposal. Section 32 of the Environmental Bill of Rights exempts instrument proposals that are issued as a step toward implementing a project that has been approved under the Environmental Assessment Act. The Yonge North Subway Extension is a project that was approved under the Environmental Assessment Act.

The last statement in the above paragraph is true for the project with the ORIGINAL proposed alignment of the YNSE on Yonge Street. However, in 2021, Metrolinx revised the ALIGNMENT of the subway in York Region, so that it will veer east/northeast off Yonge Street in Thornhill (Baythorn Drive). Although residents such as ourselves want the subway to be returned to Yonge, Metrolinx has announced that this is their ‘final route’. Thus, the subway will no longer follow the same route that the Environmental Assessment was originally approved for. Metrolinx’s new ‘Green Alignment’ route in Thornhill means that the subway will travel under a residential neighbourhood, including Pomona Creek in Royal Orchard Park. Metrolinx has said that it will release its addendum to the Environmental Assessment on February 1, 2022 for 30 days of public comment with an update to the Addendum for the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks by March 29, 2022. Why would Metrolinx apply for the permit prior to the release, public comment and release of an UPDATED Environmental Assessment Addendum?

Based on all of the above, we believe that by seeking this ‘special’ permit Metrolinx violates the policy intent and integrity of the Environmental Assessment process. We sincerely hope that the Minister agrees and will NOT issue the permit to Metrolinx.