Midtown MPP responds to further Eglinton Crosstown delay

TORONTO — The NDP MPP for Toronto-St. Paul's Jill Andrew released this statement following news of further delays to the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT:

"The Eglinton Crosstown LRT has been under construction for over 10 years, a time that has been especially hard on my community in Little Jamaica, where Black-owned businesses have been severely hit by construction delay after delay, and the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the scourge of systemic racism. Residents from midtown to Little Jamaica have been forced to live with relentless construction noise, in fear that they'll be pushed out by new builds that don’t include the affordable housing we really need.

We have seen the closure of hundreds of Black-owned businesses along Eglinton. The Ford government must provide direct financial support to help keep existing businesses afloat. And he must stop with the terrible P3 privatization model he and Liberals like Steven Del Duca are so fond of. It makes their buddies rich — but time and again, people pay the P3 price: higher costs, and terrible delays.

The Ford government must step in now and get this project built, provide hard-hit communities with a concrete completion date, and give small, local businesses like those in Little Jamaica direct financial support to make it through this long, frustrating construction period."

MPP Andrew tabled a 'Save Little Jamaica' motion in 2020, which includes calling on the Ford government to provide compensation up to $30,000 for businesses impacted by COVID-19, flooding and LRT construction; a mandated task force to ensure transparent communication between Metrolinx, the Ministry of Transporation and Little Jamaica businesses; historical designation of Little Jamaica to recognize its unique arts and culture contributions and ensuring affordable housing is included in all new builds.