Yonge North Subway Extension

Summary

The Yonge North Subway Extension (the project), managed by Metrolinx, will extend the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Subway Line 1 (Yonge-University) from Finch Station to a terminus at Richmond Hill Centre. The extension crosses from the City of Toronto into York Region passing along the boundary of Markham and Vaughan before connecting to Richmond Hill. When completed, the project will provide approximately eight kilometres of rapid transit service with five stations and a train storage facility. The federal government is contributing up to $2.24 billion towards the project.

The project will result in improved capacity, quality and safety, and access to public transit systems in the Toronto and York Region, Ontario. The project is intended to relieve crowding and delays on TTC bus services on Yonge Street, improve connections with bus services overall, and support population growth in North Toronto and York Region.

Key findings from the strategic environmental analysis

The project will help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions by encouraging a shift away from car use and expanding electric-powered trains on key parts of the rail network.

The project could result in impacts to biodiversity, air, soil and water, however, the project has measures in place to mitigate any negative effects.

A number of relevant climate change hazards and vulnerabilities were identified in the project’s updated Environmental Project Report Addendum, along with risk mitigation measures. With climate resiliency measures in place, the project will increase the climate resiliency of public transit stations in Toronto and York Region, reducing the exposure of infrastructure users to key climate impacts such as flooding.

Key findings from the cross-cutting considerations

Implications for Indigenous Peoples

The Government of Canada will engage with Indigenous peoples as appropriate and fulfill any legal duty to consult obligations.

Metrolinx has begun Indigenous consultations and has sent engagement documentation to implicated Indigenous groups. Some groups are working with Metrolinx and participating in archeological and natural environment monitoring activities, including natural environment field studies and select environmentally sensitive construction activities such as, natural environmental surveys, tree removals or in-water works.

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS)

The project will contribute to several goals outlined in the Federal  Sustainable Development Strategy including:

• Goal 8: Encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Canada;
• Goal 11: Improve access to affordable housing, clean air, transportation, parks, and green spaces, as well as cultural heritage in Canada; and,
• Goal 13: Take action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Other

The project is expected to favourably impact marginalized groups, particularly women and immigrants in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, as they are more likely to rely on transit services. It will also improve transit access for lower income residents, by allowing for greater access to employment centres. The project provides opportunities for improved growth and inclusivity in the area. There may be opportunities for investments in social and affordable housing as part of the provincial transit-oriented community efforts. Flood protection work will also be addressed during construction.