1. Georgetown South ProjectCIVIC ENGAGEMENT, TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNITY PLANNING Clean Train Student Coalition April 14, 2010

2. GTS Project: Overview The GO Georgetown line is at capacity Investment to build the core infrastructure to support increased inter-regional commuter rail It will connect two of Canada’s busiest transportation hubs – Union Station and Pearson International Airport One of the first The Big Move projects to be implemented

3. The Facts Getting people out of cars and onto transit is one of the best ways to deal with gridlock and air quality On opening day, 2015, there will be approximately 210 train trips in the GTS corridor This includes 10 extra GO Georgetown trains plus 140 airport rail two-car shuttles TheBig Move identifies express rail and regional rail for transit expansion

4. Necessary Expansion GTHA Growth: Every year, 150,000 new people settle in the GTHA Service region is growing by approximately 150,000 people annually Necessary to accommodate future growth on Georgetown, Guelph, Kitchener/Waterloo, Milton, Barrie, and Bolton lines

5. Regional and Local Benefits Removal of level crossings (safety, traffic flow) Supporting a strong and vibrant downtown Toronto – local tax base Improved GO Trains service and airport rail shuttle stops at Bloor and Weston Economic stimulus – over 10,000 jobs created Connecting Canada’s two busiest transportation hubs: Union Station and Pearson Airport

6. Community Engagement during the EA Consultation 18 public open houses, over 2,000 attendees Community design charrette Virtual open house – available 24/7 online Dozens of one-on-one community meetings Communications Website and regular e-mail distribution Updates for elected officials Public notices in community and daily newspapers Community mailings and leaflet drops

7. Examples of Consultation

8. Results of Consultation Weston stop for the airport rail shuttle Lowering of the rail corridor and covered tunnel in Weston Lowering of the rail corridor and pedestrian- and bike-friendly overpass in Strachan John St. pedestrian bridge in Weston

9. Community Perception Consultation not extensive Not all of the options were shared with everyone Working groups are not representative of the community Metrolinx was selective of who they met with and when

10. Lessons Learned Perception is reality Hindsight is 20/20 Opportunities for improvement Need to think outside the regulatory box Each community is different and requires a tailored communications approach How we communicate is just as important as what we communicate Don’t be afraid to share information even if we don’t have all of the answers

11. What are we doing now We are committed to being responsive, transparent and credible Resources on the ground, in the community 9 member community relations team 2 community drop-in offices, Weston and Strachan (opening day Summer 2010) Community meetings and open houses Engagement plan to keep all stakeholders informed

12. Electrification Study - Consultation First electrification study for the entire GO rail network Terms of Reference – developed by key stakeholders former community advisory committee members Representatives: environment/health, community, planning, business, Community Stakeholder meetings in March, June, October Consultation with community groups Regular Website updates Consultations with government and technical stakeholders (rail and electrical supply and distribution)

13. Community Engagement Plan Regular meetings and updates for elected officials, community groups Community meetings/open houses Face-to-face communications in the affected communities One point of contact for all community issues Advance notice of all project work – design, construction, impacts

14. What’s next We are in the process of finishing our engagement with elected officials To continue our meetings with community stakeholders As the project continues, we will be communicating and meeting with affected residents prior to final design and construction We will be updating our Website, www.gotransit.com/gts Source of information and provide regular updates 12-month outlooks for all of the ongoing construction projects and sites