Item - 2012.PG16.18

City Council considered Items PG16.16, PG16.18 and TE17.112 together.

The Planning and Growth Management Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council support and endorse the East Bayfront LRT line as an added priority for Toronto's transit network.

2.         City Council request the City Manager and the Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Transit Commission, in consultation with Waterfront Toronto and Metrolinx, to report to the Planning and Growth Management Committee meeting on October 12, 2012, addressing the following:

a.         explore funding and financial tools that may be available to complete the waterfront rapid transit plan, and

b.         explore connecting East Bayfront with Cherry Street to facilitate transportation for the Pan/Parapan Am Games Athletes' Village and future residents in the West Don Lands and East Bayfront.

I would like to bring to your attention an item that was unanimously endorsed by the Toronto and East York Community Council on Wednesday 13 June 2012, regarding the East Bayfront LRT.

Within a few short years, Toronto will host the Pan/Parapan American Games.  A vital part of the 2015 Games infrastructure is the Athletes' Village, which will house over 10,000 participants in the West Don Lands.  This premier sports event will bring an unprecedented level of activity and traffic to Toronto's waterfront, and it will bring the attention of the world.

Meanwhile, the East Bayfront is the site of considerable investment by international developers and is set to become the location for hundreds of businesses, tens of thousands of residents, and a destination for both Torontonians and visitors.  Already the home for Corus and the new George Brown College Campus, this area will become a key economic driver for the city.

Furthermore, this transit line has been identified as a necessary component to unlock the future opportunities in the Port Lands.

However, these efforts to bring economic and social benefit to Toronto are in serious jeopardy because the City has not followed through on its promise and obligation to provide rapid transit to the area.  The Environmental Assessment and designs have all been completed and approved for the East Bayfront LRT, but it is only partially funded.

Currently, work is underway on revitalizing the stretch of Queens Quay west of Bay Street.  The work here will include realigning the tracks and improving the flow for transit, traffic, and pedestrians.  This project is only one part of the entire waterfront transit plan, but it is the only portion that is completely funded at this time.  The entire waterfront transit plan needs to be completed to ensure its success and effectiveness.

It is imperative that the Planning and Growth Management Committee support and endorse the East Bayfront LRT as an additional priority in Toronto's transit plan and that staff immediately ensure that financial resources are identified to complete the Queens Quay transit strategy.