McGuinty, Miller support Pearson-Union rail link
A long-proposed high-speed rail link between Pearson Airport and Union Station received a jolt of support yesterday from Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Toronto Mayor David Miller.
"We are still in active discussions," said the Premier, of talks with Montreal-based SNC-Lavalin Inc. on a project that could get the green light by next year. "That is an important priority for us."
Mr. Miller, who was at a waterfront announcement with the Premier, later told reporters "we just need it to happen."
The city has no role in the approval, but the mayor said the line should address fears of residents of Weston that it would bisect the community and cut off local roads.
Word that the long-dormant project is coming to life was news to local activists fighting the plans, said city councillor Frances Nunziata (Ward 11, York South-Weston).
She said she will support the train only if it is tunnelled underneath Weston Road and operates more like a transit line with local stops along the way.
The project shouldn't "just cater to people that are going to pay $20 to get on a high-speed train non-stop 22 minutes to go to the airport," she said. "How does that benefit the community?"
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