As I write this, I can clearly hear a diesel commuter train pass by more than half a kilometer away. MetroLinx (effectively GO Transit - GO stands for Government of Ontario) plans to add another 250 diesel trains to the 50 or so that run currently each day, and then an additional 200 a day.

Ontario and Bangladesh are both investing in diesel trains. Everybody else uses electric trains, because they are a lot cleaner and quieter. So, Ontario will look pretty silly on the international stage. But it is our neighbourhoods that will be injured by the additional pollution that comes with diesel trains. The benefits of improved regional public transit benefit commuters, who don't live in Toronto.

So, to sum up, the Ontario Government doesn't mind stinking up our neighbourhood to help people in the 905 and beyond save gas money.

Neighbours take the message to Queen's Park, July 20th 2009