Item - 2025.EX27.4

The Executive Director, Transit Expansion, recommends that:

St. Clair-Old Weston Station

1. City Council approve the change for the St. Clair-Old Weston (“SCOW”) Station to be serviced by the Union-Pearson Express (“UPE”) Line subject to the following:

a. The Province agrees to fully fund all capital costs associated with this change;

b. The Province continues to commit to 15-minute service frequency or better at the SCOW Station; and

c.  Province agrees to continue to work with the City, and the TTC, to develop the regional fare integration framework, to make transit more affordable and seamless in Toronto, and provides an update on progress prior to the opening of the SCOW Station. 

2. City Council authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor and any other relevant City Officials, to negotiate, enter into and execute an amendment to the Revised Agreement in Principle between the Province and the City, dated August 21, 2023, as amended on July 4, 2023 (“Revised AIP”), for the implementation of the change to the SCOW Station (the “Amending Agreement”), in accordance with Recommendation 1 above, and on such other terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

3. Subject to entering into the Amending Agreement, City Council authorize the City Manager, or designate, to negotiate, enter into, and execute an amendment to the SmartTrack Main Agreement between Metrolinx and the City, dated September 15, 2023, based on terms in the Revised AIP, as amended, and on such other terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

GO Expansion Program

4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to negotiate, enter into and execute agreements with Metrolinx, including amendments and renewals for the widening of Jarvis Street and Sherbourne Street rail bridges for design, construction and on-going maintenance, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, on such terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

5. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, in consultation with any other relevant City Officials, to negotiate, enter into and execute delivery agreements with Metrolinx, as required, to receive funds from Metrolinx for planting and maintenance of trees and vegetation by the City on City-managed property to replace trees and vegetation being removed by Metrolinx for the construction of Metrolinx-led transit projects, including but not limited to GO Expansion and Subway Programs, and any ancillary or related agreements and amendments, all on such terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

Alto High-Speed Rail

6. City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, or designate, to negotiate, enter into and execute a confidentiality agreement with VIA HFR - VIA TGF Inc., operating as Alto, for the Toronto-Quebec City High-Speed Rail Network project on such terms and conditions satisfactory to the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

This report provides updates and seeks authorities regarding three heavy rail transit projects in Toronto.

St. Clair-Old Weston Station – Proposed Change from GO to Union-Pearson Express

In December 2024, through CC24.3, City Council confirmed delivery of three prioritized stations under the SmartTrack Program, namely, East Harbour, Bloor-Lansdowne, and St. Clair-Old Weston (SCOW). Metrolinx has recently proposed a service change whereby the SCOW Station would be serviced by the Union-Pearson Express (UPE) trains on the UPE line instead of GO trains on the adjacent Kitchener line. Metrolinx has indicated that this service change is required to maintain the 15-minute (or better) service frequency commitment made by Metrolinx for the SmartTrack Program, which can no longer be maintained by GO service.

The Province has confirmed that all capital costs associated with the proposed change from GO to UPE service will be fully covered by the Province under their GO Expansion Program (GOE Program). As such, this report seeks Council’s approval to have the SCOW Station be serviced by the UPE Line. Attachment 1 to this report provides an update on the status of the design and construction of the three prioritized SmartTrack stations.

GO Expansion Program Update

This report provides an update on the GOE Program and responds to Council direction from EX18.8 and MM7.14. This includes actions taken by the City and Metrolinx due to the flooding along the Barrie rail corridor and provides updates on the Antler Street and Lappin Avenue pedestrian and cycling connection. This report also seeks authority for the City to enter into:

- Bridge agreements with Metrolinx for the widening of the Jarvis Street and Sherbourne Street rail bridges with Metrolinx fully funding this work; and

- Delivery agreements with Metrolinx for tree planting and restoration work for their GO Expansion and Subway programs, where Metrolinx will fully fund the planting and maintenance of vegetation by the City, on City-managed property.

Alto High-Speed Rail

Alto, the federal government’s delivery agent for the Toronto-Quebec City High-Speed Rail Network, has requested that the City sign a confidentiality agreement to enable the exchange of data and sensitive information about the project. This report seeks authority for the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, or their designate, to negotiate and execute a confidentiality agreement with Alto.

St. Clair-Old Weston (SCOW) Station

There are no financial impacts resulting from the recommendations in the report related to the SCOW Station. All capital costs related to redesignating this station as a Union-Pearson Express Station will be covered by the Province.

GO Expansion Program

There are no financial impacts resulting from the recommendations in the report related to the GO Expansion Program. The capital funding for the widening of Jarvis Street and Sherbourne Street rail bridges will be the responsibility of Metrolinx. Metrolinx will also fully fund the tree planting and restoration work detailed in this report to be carried out by the City.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.