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Ontario Moving Forward to Deliver Subways Faster

Proposed Legislation Would Give Province the Ability to Deliver Priority Transit Projects

News.Ontario.ca
Feb. 19, 2020

Today, Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation introduced legislation that will help deliver Ontario's four priority subway projects on-time and on-budget. The proposed legislation demonstrates Ontario's real commitment to delivering transit faster for the people in the Greater Toronto Area, reducing congestion, and connecting people to places and jobs.

"In order to keep up with the tremendous growth in the region, we have to build modern, efficient rapid transit," said Minister Mulroney. "It will not only generate years of employment, it will allow us to better connect a world-class city and develop transit-oriented communities."

The Building Transit Faster Act would provide the province with the tools to expedite the planning, design and construction process that has delayed major projects in the past. If passed, the legislation would remove roadblocks and give the Province the ability needed to deliver projects faster by:

The projects include the all-new Ontario Line, the Yonge North Subway Extension, the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension, and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, and will address the increasing demand for safe and reliable transportation options.

"Not only will this proposed legislation get people riding the trains earlier, but it will ensure that the province is best positioned to attract new business and keep our best and brightest here in Ontario," said Kinga Surma, Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA).

Ontario remains committed to partnering with the City of Toronto to remove roadblocks, engaging with local residents and businesses on each project, and consulting with Indigenous communities to ensure Aboriginal and treaty rights and interests are considered in the decision-making process.

The proposed changes support the government's commitment to making public transit an attractive, affordable and low-stress alternative to get people where they want to go, when they want to get there.

Quick Facts

The proposed legislation includes steps to make the relocation of utilities, such as gas or electrical, more efficient by requiring their infrastructure to be moved within a set timeframe and introduces a structured and consistent process for engaging and coordinating work.