When it was announced that Metrolinx intended to clear-cut hundreds of trees along a 1.5 km stretch of Eglinton Avenue a coalition of several groups (including Mount Dennis Community Association) sprang into action. One of the groups, an indigenous-led coalition erected a tipi in Pearen Park and has occupied the site since January.

Today, close to 100 people listened intently as Indigenous leaders spoke about the need to protect the trees that Metrolinx wants to chop down. The provincial transit authority wants to build an elevated section of the Eglinton Crosstown Extension. The extension will link the long delayed main line to Pearson Airport and is planned to cross the Humber above ground before going underground at Scarlett road. The coalition insists that the line must be built underground in order to preserve precious parkland.

German rock group Milky Chance were there in support along with the Sierra Club and Greenpeace. They participated with dozens of others to place tobacco at the foot of each tree and mark them with ribbons. Refreshments were generously provided by Super Coffee who have a coffee shop at Weston and Eglinton.

There is no reason for Metrolinx to build an elevated line across the Humber that will lead to the destruction of hundreds of trees. Great cities bury their rail lines and preserve nature at all costs.

Is Toronto a great city or will it fall prey to small thinking and destroy irreplaceable wildlife, trees and parkland?

Incidentally, missing in action were Councillor Frances Nunziata and local MPP Mike Ford. Incidentally Ford (who is the premier’s nephew) campaigned for his seat claiming that he would better represent the coalition from inside government. Since he was elected, he seems to have forgotten his promise.

Read more from the coalition here.

Read a January article by the CBC here.