Ontario to table legislation to upload new Toronto subway expansions

Ontario will introduce subway upload legislation Thursday that would give the province ownership of future expansion projects in Toronto's system.

Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek said Wednesday that the upcoming bill would mean transit can get built faster and the government can focus on a regional network.

"That means fare integration and improved connectivity between transit systems," he said in a speech. "We would be able to prioritize transportation projects and make decisions based on what is best for the people of Ontario, not just Toronto."

The province has a greater capacity to finance projects, issue zoning orders, and compel utilities to prioritize relocation work, Yurek said.

Toronto and the provincial government are currently in discussions about Premier Doug Ford's plan to take over responsibility for the city's subway system. Ford has said the Toronto Transit Commission would retain the day-to-day operations of the subway, buses, and street cars, and the city would keep fare box revenue.

Ford doing something 'no one asked him to do'

Reaction to the province's announcement was mixed on Wednesday night, when several city councillors, the transit workers union and consumer advocacy group, TTC Riders, met to discuss the move.

Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam said the province is ignoring what the city really needs when it comes to transit. She explained that Toronto asked for three things: help alleviating "dangerous" platform crowding at Yonge and Bloor, funding for the downtown relief line and $1.1 billion annually to help operate and maintain the system. 

"That's what we really need in order for them to be good transit partners for us," Wong-Tam said. "Instead [Ford] is doing something that no one asked him to do — nobody, and he's just thrusting this upon us."

Meanwhile, April Engelberg, who ran against Joe Cressy for a council seat in Spadina-Fort York, said there are similarities between what the province proposed and what the city wants.

The Ontario Line, which would run through downtown from Ontario Place to the Ontario Science Centre, is the same route as what the city proposed, "it just extends it," she said.

"When I'm seeing stops proposed like Queen and Spadina, that's terrific. King and Bathurst, that's terrific. I think it's important to dissect the province's entire plan and see what parts are good for the city," she explained.

Other transportation issues to be reviewed

The legislation and other new regulations Yurek announced Wednesday will tackle a host of transportation-related issues.

Fines will be increased for drivers travelling slowly in the left-hand lane, Yurek said.

"When people drive dangerously slow, the safety of others is put at risk," he said to applause from the Toronto Region Board of Trade audience.

As well, stronger fines will be introduced for careless driving around maintenance and construction workers, tow-truck operators and recovery workers, he said.

Current laws prohibit the use of off-road vehicles on municipal roads unless the community passes a bylaw to allow for it. The new bill will presumptively allow the vehicles on municipal roads, unless the municipality specifically bans them.

The government is also proposing to allow solo motorcycle riders to use Ontario's high occupancy vehicle lanes.

Yurek said the province plans to eliminate a requirement for owners of pick-up trucks and trailers to get them inspected if they are for personal use. It will also allow vehicle dealers to apply online for permits, plates and validation stickers on behalf of customers, instead of them having to line up at Service Ontario.