Item - 2025.EX28.23

Councillor Paul Ainslie recommends that: 

1. City Council request Metrolinx to reinstate the Lakeshore–Midtown Line within its business model as a priority project aligned with the 2041 Regional Transportation Plan.

2. City Council request the Mayor and City Manager to advocate to the Province of Ontario and Metrolinx for the inclusion of the Lakeshore–Midtown Line in future planning and funding frameworks.

3. City Council direct the Director, Transportation Planning and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report to the Executive Committee on opportunities for integration of a future Lakeshore-Midtown Line with existing and planned City transit projects to maximize connectivity and efficiency.

The Greater Toronto Area continues to experience significant population growth and increasing demand for efficient, reliable transit options.

The proposed Lakeshore–Midtown Line, which would have connected Oakville through Mississauga, Midtown Toronto, and Scarborough before terminating in Oshawa, was previously identified as a strategic corridor to improve east-west connectivity across the region.

The cancellation of this line represents a missed opportunity to advance the objectives outlined in Metrolinx’s 2041 Regional Transportation Plan, which calls for completing the regional rapid transit network and enhancing cross-regional mobility.

Reinstating the Lakeshore–Midtown Line would:

- Advance RTP Goals: The 2041 RTP calls for improved regional connectivity and new rapid transit corridors to address future growth. This line directly supports those priorities.

- Reduce Congestion: By providing an alternative to the heavily used Lakeshore East and West corridors, the line would alleviate pressure on existing infrastructure.

- Support Economic Development: Enhanced connectivity between employment hubs and residential communities fosters economic resilience and competitiveness.

- Promote Sustainability: Expanding transit options encourages mode shift from personal vehicles to public transit, reducing emissions and supporting Ontario’s climate objectives.