Metrolinx loses injuction regarding Osgoode Hall trees
Posted February 4, 2023 7:13 pm.
Last Updated February 5, 2023 2:02 pm.
The Law Society of Ontario announced that Justice Chalmers granted the interim injunction restraining Metrolinx from cutting down any trees at the Osgoode site. The interim injunction is in effect until midnight February 10, 2023 unless extended by further order of the Court.
The news comes following a hearing Saturday afternoon on whether or not a dozen 200 year old trees at Osgoode Hall can be cut down as part of construction for the new Ontario Line.
The provincial transit agency showed up Saturday morning and had cut down at least one tree according to the LSO before Metrolinx agreed to “temporarily pause work” until the outcome of the hearing.
Moss Park. Right now. I’m here bearing witness to Metrolinx’s destruction. pic.twitter.com/CKYSV2ZKyn
— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) February 4, 2023
The LSO filed an injunction Friday night in an attempt to halt the process.
Both the coalition fighting to stop the clear cut and Coun. Matlow have indicated they would abide by the court’s ruling.
RELATED: Metrolinx plan to cut trees at Osgoode Hall for Ontario Line on hold
In May it was revealed that the space around Osgoode Hall would be used to build a station entrance at the northeast corner of University Avenue and Queen Street West, where the mature trees currently fill the space. The grounds and the heritage fencing currently there date back to the time of confederation in 1867.
In a blog posted Friday night Metrolinx addressed concerns raised about the location of the Ontario Line station at the Osgoode site.
Metrolinx said the decision to remove the trees was not made lightly and only after multiple other options were explored, adding the southwest section of the Osgoode Hall grounds is the only space able to accommodate the “keyhole” – a construction shaft – which is needed for future excavation and construction. The agency claims a recent independent analysis commissioned by the City of Toronto supports their decision.
While some transit advocates have suggested moving the location to the middle of University Avenue, Metrolinx says that option would impact the existing Yonge-University subway line, forcing it to shut down for several years and drastically impacting traffic in the area, which they note is home to several major hospitals.
“There are also numerous power, gas, and telecommunications lines under the street that would need to be avoided, which ruled out this option,” said Metrolinx.
Metrolinx adds it is working to protect as many mature trees as possible and has plans for beautifying and restoring the space after construction with new vegetation and landscaping.
“Metrolinx only removes trees that are absolutely necessary to accommodate construction, and the agency will plant three or more trees for every one tree removed for the Ontario Line project.”
The almost 16-kilometre, 15-stop Ontario Line was first unveiled by the Ford government back in 2019, expanding on the city’s initial Relief Line proposal. When completed, the line will connect with 40 other transit routes, including GO train lines, TTC subway and streetcar stops and a new east-west light rail line that is currently being built.
Metrolinx has pegged the total cost of the project at almost $11 billion and its projected to be operational by 2030.