Introduction

This project is a 42 minute documentary about a contentious issue that has arisen in the last year in West Toronto. The subject is a rail expansion and the controversy arises between
the need of a government to provide and expand public transit and the conflicting need of the local community to protect their health.

In December of 2007 the Government of Ontario created an agency called Metrolinx – an amalgamation of GO transit and the GTTA - to draft and eventually execute a master plan to revitalize public transit within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). On the surface this plan looks progressive and 'green' but there is one massive flaw that has created public outrage if not suspicions of corruption. This problem is the decision made to use diesel locomotives instead of electric trains along a very busy rail corridor. This makes very little sense for many reasons but the main ones being that diesel fumes are polluting, harmful to human health and the locomotives are incredibly noisy. Economically it makes no sense either. Metrolinx has stated it intends to electrify the rail network in approximately 15 years (to catch up with the rest of the world) so why build it twice? Why invest in diesel now then switch to electric later? 'Do it right the first time' goes the opposing argument. It seems like a no-brainer to go electric with this plan so why the Government’s ferocious loyalty to diesel?

On the other side of the issue is the Clean Train Coalition (CTC), a group of local residents who will be directly impacted by the diesel rail corridor. They are genuinely concerned for their health and that of their families. This collection of people is smart, hardworking and organized and they are giving the government a very tough fight on this issue. They advocate for electric trains which are cleaner, quieter and healthier than diesel and they have the research and documentation to prove it. They think the government should electrify immediately. On September 26 of this year they organized a rally which attracted about 1,000 people to protest the government’s diesel plans.

With this video I intend to create a personal document but also a work of amateur journalism. My home sits about 50 yards from the rail corridor in question so my family’s quality of life will certainly be affected. My 5 year old daughter is also at risk of getting sick from the particulates and toxins present in diesel exhaust. My video will contain a mixture of interviews with people directly involved with the issue, personal reflections (including imagery from around the neighbourhood and my daughter) and analysis of the information I compile.

A few fundamental questions have already arisen and I will attempt to find answers for them.

1. Are Electric Trains really cleaner than Diesel? Like most everyone I assume they are, but that is not based on any empirical evidence that I have seen, it is just an assumption.

2. Is the rest of the world really electrifying their rail lines? That is another common assumption that requires an answer.

3. What are the health risks of diesel? The Toronto Medical Officer has recently released a statement condemning the use of diesel and calling for electrification. Leukemia and other illnesses were mentioned – what actually are the risks?

4. Who wants diesel? Clearly the Government of Ontario and Metrolinx does but no one else seems to. What is the rational behind their attachment to diesel?

5. Is there a conflict of interest at play here? The provincial government, Metrolinx and SNC-Lavalin all have a stake in this project. Is there an unethical backroom deal being protected?

On the surface then, this documentary is about public transit and progressive environmental policy but I feel there is a larger issue lurking underneath. As I write this (events are unfolding on a daily basis, so something I wrote last week may need to be amended or discarded this week) the evidence is piling up to support a suspicion that the Government of Ontario wanted diesel trains from day one and they are simply pushing their plan through. What I am left to address is the abject failure (perhaps refusal is a better word) of government to serve its citizenry and it’s success in serving itself alongside it’s corporate partners. My film then, is also concerned with examining democracy itself and what it really means in both principle and practice.

The Players

The suspicious unknown is SNC-Lavalin, a private engineering corporation that is very good at getting government contracts. They seem to have the Union Pearson Rail Link all to themselves. They will run the service at a profit after the taxpayers have paid for building the infrastructure. Marvelous.

The Media

This is a selection of links to news articles and video stories available in the mainstream and alternative media. The stories take opposing viewpoints but ones that fall on the side of residents who want electric trains somewhat outweigh the stories that hold the view that diesel is okay. The counter argument basically says the residents want to hold back progress and they are being NIMBY's.

The Politicians

This section lists many (but not all) of the politicians who have a stake in this issue. Most of them represent a riding along the rail corridor or they are a provincial Minister that has a direct relationship to this project. The rail expansion is primarily a provincial initiative so it is the governing Liberals in this province who are responsible for Metrolinx and all it's activities. There are some things Municipal Councillors and Federal MP's can do but their powers are limited, especially in the Municipal cases.

Timeline

Acronyms and Glossary

Health

Other Links

Maps

Interview request responses