Committee discussion on this matter included the following:
- The need for Provincial and Federal Government support and funding for the LRT project
- Cost of not investing in transit infrastructure and delaying transit projects
- Comparative costs outlined in Appendix 1 of the staff report
- Learning from transit projects and challenges in other municipalities, and implementing provisions to ensure projects are completed on time and on budget
- Alignment of provincial housing targets with transit investment
- Brampton's increasing transit ridership and housing needs, which demonstrates the need for more transit investment
- The need for further dialogue with the Provincial and Federal Governments to communicate how this project aligns with their goals
The following motion was introduced to replace staff recommendation #2 in the staff report with the following:
That staff be directed to have further dialogue with Metrolinx and Provincial officials to help inform the Tunnel option, which is the alignment unanimously supported by Brampton City Council to advance funding advocacy, which could then be taken through the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP), and report back in approximately six months on outcome of these discussions.
A further motion was introduced to replace staff recommendation #4 in the staff report with the following:
That a copy of this report be forwarded to Metrolinx, the Province (the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Infrastructure) and the Federal government (Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Infrastructure); and to the Brampton area MPs and MPPs, along with related correspondence.
The motion, in its entirety, was considered as follows:
1. That the report from Compton Bobb, Senior Project Engineer, Higher Order Transit – EA’s, Transit, to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 10, 2023, re: Light Rail Transit (LRT) Extension Study Update, be received;
2. That the following correspondence to the Committee of Council Meeting of May 10, 2023, re: Item 10.2.8 - Light Rail Transit (LRT) Extension Study Update, be received:
1. Dermot Sweeny, Founding Principal, Sweeny&Co. Architects Inc., dated May 8, 2023
2. Maria Pinto, Luxor Homes, dated May 9, 2023
3. Joseph S. Mancinelli, International Vice President, Canadian Director, and Central and Eastern Canada Regional Manager, LiUNA, dated May 9, 2023
4. Andrew Salomon, Vice President, The Hi-Rise Group Inc., dated May 9, 2023
3. That staff be directed to have further dialogue with Metrolinx and Provincial officials to help inform the Tunnel option, which is the alignment unanimously supported by Brampton City Council to advance funding advocacy, which could then be taken through the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP), and report back in approximately six months on outcome of these discussions.
4. That staff be directed to engage with federal and provincial officials to help explore and discuss potential funding options for the LRT Extension; and
5. That a copy of this report be forwarded to Metrolinx, the Province (the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Infrastructure) and the Federal government (Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Infrastructure); and to the Brampton area MPs and MPPs, along with related correspondence.