November 28, 2008. Metrolinx Board formally adopts The Big Move. This is the province's vision to increase and expand pubic transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

March 2009. The Metrolinx Board of 11 appointed people (9 of them elected officials) is dismissed and replaced with 15 private-sector appointees that were installed by the province.

April 2009. Clean Train Coalition (CTC) forms. A grassroots organization made up of concerned residents who live along the rail corridor.

April 2, 2009. The Environmental Assessment begins, overseen by Metrolinx. It is a new fast-tracked process that takes 6 months whereas previous Environmental assessments took 1 to 3 years. It is part of the new Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP). This is the first massive project to go through this new truncated process.

May 14, 2009. Metrolinx merges with GO. Metrolinx became the legal name of the merged agency but both still retain logo and offices etc. and Metrolinx holds authority over GO. Beyond that how the “merger” actually works is unclear.

May 26, 2009. Metrolinx announces it is undertaking a study of electrification of its entire system. This happens due to public pressure. Study is to be complete by end of December 2010.

June 2009. Environmental assessment ends and goes to public for review and feedback.

July 20, 2009. CTC organizes a stroller parade protest at Queens Park. About 500 Moms and children circle Queens Park and make their voices heard.

July 22, 2009. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) releases objection to use of diesel trains.

July 30, 2009. Public has until this date (a 120 day period) to comment about the Metrolinx project. Consultation process closes.

July 31, 2009. Metrolinx responds to my contribution to the consultation process in less than 24 hours.

July 31, 2009. The public has a 30 day period to review the Environmental Assessment and make their concerns known to the Minister of the Environment, John Gerretsen.

August 13, 2009. Dr David McKeown issues a letter to the Minister of the Environment and Metrolinx voicing his health concerns regarding diesel and advocating Electric as the only technology that is proven to be safe for human health.

September 16, 2009. After being presented with new studies by Metrolinx, McKeown revised his letter of concern and takes Leukemia off the table but his overall concerns and recommendations remain the same and advocate for Electric trains.

September 26, 2009. Human Train Walk. The CTC organized a protest march from Weston to Sorauren Park (along the route followed by the trains). About a thousand people attend and converge in the park. Many political figures attend and speak out against the diesel plans.

October 5, 2009. After a 35 day review period Environment Minister John Gerretsen gives a green light to Metrolinx to continue on the diesel path. He places 'strict conditions' on the plan stating that the trains must use Tier 4 technology 'when commercially available' because it doesn't exist yet. Tier 4 has less emissions overall compared to other diesel technology like Tier 2, currently in use. That is not to say though, that Tier 4 doesn't have any harmful emissions because it does. Tier 4 engines are also heavier and louder than the current locomotives.