Bill 303 Original (PDF)
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Bill amends the Metrolinx Act, 2006 to require the establishment of a committee to review the passenger transportation system between downtown Toronto and Toronto Pearson International Airport known as the Union Pearson Express. The Bill provides for the composition of the committee and the committee’s mandate, which is to make recommendations respecting a plan, a timeline and funding estimates to achieve certain goals for the Union Pearson Express as set out in the Bill.
The Bill establishes consultation requirements for the committee. The committee is required to report its recommendations to the Minister. The Minister is required to table the committee’s report in the Legislative Assembly and to inform the Assembly of the Minister’s proposed actions in response to the committee’s recommendations.
Bill 303 2021
An Act to amend the Metrolinx Act, 2006 to provide for a committee to review matters relating to the Union Pearson Express
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
1 The Metrolinx Act, 2006 is amended by adding the following section:
Duties of Corporation, Union Pearson Express
8.1.1 (1) Within 60 days after the day the Clean Trains Now Act, 2021 receives Royal Assent, the Corporation shall establish a committee to be known as the Union Pearson Express Review Committee in English and Comité d'examen du service Union Pearson Express in French to review the passenger transportation system between downtown Toronto and Toronto Pearson International Airport known as the Union Pearson Express.
Composition
(2) The committee shall be composed of persons the Corporation believes will make useful contributions to the committee’s work, including,
(a) representatives of the City of Toronto;
(b) representatives of the Toronto Transit Commission;
(c) representatives of transit workers;
(d) members of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute;
(e) transportation engineers;
(f) representatives of the construction industry; and
(g) representatives of persons who use public transit.
Remuneration and expenses of committee members
(3) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may by regulation prescribe remuneration and payment of expenses for the committee members.
Mandate
(4) The committee’s mandate shall be to make recommendations respecting a plan, a timeline and funding estimates to achieve,
(a) the transition of the Union Pearson Express from being powered by diesel fuel to being powered by electrification;
(b) full fare integration so that passengers on the Union Pearson Express can travel on all public transit routes in the City of Toronto for up to two hours on a single fare at no greater than the regular cost of a Toronto Transit Commission fare; and
(c) an increase in the capacity of the Union Pearson Express to serve passengers, including, for example, by,
(i) increasing service frequency,
(ii) increasing the carrying capacity of trains used on the route,
(iii) increasing the number of stations, and
(iv) modifying track into and out of the station located at Toronto Pearson International Airport or the station itself.
Consultation
(5) In carrying out its mandate, the committee shall engage in consultation, including public consultation, with, at minimum, the following:
1. Residents in the areas through which the Union Pearson Express operates.
2. Persons who use public transit in the Greater Toronto Area.
3. Persons who work in the areas through which the Union Pearson Express operates, including the downtown core of the City of Toronto and Toronto Pearson International Airport.
4. Any other persons or entities the committee determines should be consulted.
Recommendations
(6) The committee shall provide its recommendations in the form of a report to the Corporation within six months after the committee is established under subsection (1) and shall provide a copy of the report to the Minister.
Tabling of report
(7) The Minister shall table the report in the Legislative Assembly within 30 days after receiving it.
Minister’s response
(8) On or before the day that is 60 days after the Minister tables the report, the Minister shall inform the Assembly of the Minister’s proposed actions in response to the committee’s recommendations.
Commencement
2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.
Short title
3 The short title of this Act is the Clean Trains Now Act, 2021.