Dear Minister Yurek, I am…

Dear Minister Yurek,

I am writing as a follow up to your Ministry's correspondence dated July 13, 2020 regarding the Environmental Compliance Applications for 633 Coronation Drive.

The proponent has not submitted a development application/site plan to the City of Toronto for this project, and as such it remains unclear if the project will meet existing City zoning.

My constituents have made it very clear that they do not support this proposed development in our community. I have received over 175 emails from residents opposing the project, a petition from over 7500 people, and letters against the project from the three local community associations.

I am also opposed to this project. I continue to have serious concerns about its impact on the residents of Scarborough-Rouge Park, and about the assessment process for this ECA application.

Public Consultation:

A public meeting would ensure residents are treated fairly in this assessment process and provide further transparency about the project. Through a public meeting, the proponent could share information about the project, the Ministry could provide information about the ECA process, and residents would be able to voice their concerns.

Requested Action #1 – Extend the public consultation comment period through the Emergency order, and require the proponent to hold a public meeting.

Traffic Assessment:

On July 14, 2020, the City Manager submitted a letter to your ministry requesting that you require the proponent to undertake a comprehensive traffic study of the proposal as part of the Environmental Compliance approvals process. We further requested that the review of the traffic study be completed in coordination with the City of Toronto's Transportation Services staff. A copy of this letter is attached.

While, the proponent has recently released a traffic study, I have the following concerns: 
- The traffic study was not completed in coordination with the City of Toronto’s transportation services staff, nor reviewed by them;
- The traffic study was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with nonrepresentative traffic patterns;
- The traffic study does not address other proposals in the area, nor provisions for future increased traffic based on growth;
- The traffic study did not look at transportation routes to the 401 – this is a major concern of the community;
- The traffic study involved no engagement with the community about their concerns or preferred routes;
- The type of vehicles and precautions taken to ensure no spillage of organics, or release of odours is not discussed; 
- Adequate time was not given to the community to comment on the traffic study; and
- It remains unclear, how the Ministry of Environment will assess the traffic study and incorporate the findings it into the ECA decision making process.

Requested Action #2 – Require the Proponent to increase the scope of their traffic study to address the above concerns, and work with the City of Toronto Transportation services to have their traffic study reviewed.

By bringing forth these necessary actions, the proponent can more effectively engage with the community and address recommendations from the City of Toronto in a meaningful way.

I hope you strongly consider these requests so that the Province of Ontario and City of Toronto can work together to better serve the community.

Sincerely,

Jennifer McKelvie, PhD
Toronto City Councillor, Scarborough Rouge Park
E-mail : councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca
Phone: 416-338-3771