TERMS OF REFERENCE Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC) East Community Advisory Committee 1. Background to the Community Advisory Committee (CAC): Metrolinx has been directed by the Province of Ontario to expand and electrify the GO Network, and to increase service through the Regional Express Rail program. Metrolinx recognizes that these network-wide improvements will have a positive impact on the travel options and experiences for millions of Ontarians, and at the same time can have negative impacts on communities closest to the 250+ km of Metrolinx rail corridors. Metrolinx is convening this USRC East Community Advisory Committee to address the significant concerns raised by the local community related to works on USRC East (which runs from Union Station in the west to Queen Street East/ Don Valley in the east – see map below). 2. Objectives of consultation with the CAC: • To work together to identify the issues, opportunities, and constraints related to the USRC East work, focusing particularly on the impacts which Metrolinx’s commitments to network-wide transit expansion and service increases have on the local community, including: - impacts related to operational noise and vibration; - impacts related to construction noise, vibration, and lights; - impacts related to vegetation and tree clearance; - impacts related to safety; - impacts related to track E(0) (including impacts listed above, as well as air quality and property devaluation); - impacts to local bridges and community connections; and - any other issues and/or opportunities of interest to the local community and Metrolinx. USRC CAC Terms of Reference – FINAL Page 1 of 4 • Based on a shared understanding of the issues, opportunities, and constraints related to the USRC East Enhancements, to identify opportunities to minimize, mitigate, and if/where possible, eliminate impacts on the local community. 3. Members of the CAC will be made up of representatives of interested and affected organizations including (but not limited to): • Community Groups/Associations - Gooderham & Worts Neighbourhood Association - St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association - Corktown Resident & Business Association - Cycle Toronto - Cityscape/Distillery Historic District - West Don Lands Committee - Dundee Kilmer/Canary District - Cathedral Court - Caroline Co-op - Toronto Community Housing - Longboat and Area Residents Association • Emergency Services - Toronto Police Service • Business Improvement Areas - St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Market BIA • Elected Officials (ex-officio) - Ward 28 Councillor’s Office - MPP Toronto – Centre - MP Toronto – Centre - MP Spadina – Fort York If a member of the Committee must withdraw due to illness or unexpected events, their position may be filled at the discretion of USRC CAC. 4. Resources to the CAC: Metrolinx (including GO Transit) and City of Toronto staff knowledgeable about policies, regulations, civil engineering, landscape design, and principles (e.g. City Planning, Major Capital Infrastructure Coordination Office) will be available as resources to the CAC. Additional resources to the CAC include relevant public agencies (e.g. Waterfront Toronto, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, etc.). 5. Convener of the CAC: Metrolinx 6. Roles and Responsibilities: All CAC members, the Convener (Metrolinx), and the Facilitator will: • Agree to these Terms of Reference; • Assist in the development of meeting agendas; • Attend CAC meetings and participate in constructive and positive discussion; • Treat each other with respect and take an active role in the work of the CAC; • Work to understand and represent the varied perspectives of all residents around the USRC East; USRC CAC Terms of Reference – FINAL Page 2 of 4 • Advise the CAC of their organization’s/community’s/constituency’s perspectives relating to USRC East; • Provide accurate information to CAC members, such that they can contribute informed perspectives and advice; • Help the CAC operate effectively by offering suggestions and alternatives to issues, concerns and problems; • Ensure that the results of discussions are accurately documented in the form of meeting records that reflect key discussion points/decisions/actions; • Communicate to and from the organizations they represent; • Agree that all meeting records from this consultation, as well as the Terms of Reference of the CAC, may be shared publicly by the participants (e.g. via their respective websites); and • Report back on the results of the CAC’s discussions to the public in conjunction with Metrolinx community relations staff through a dedicated section of the email newsletter sent out to the distribution list as well as presenting the results of their discussions at subsequent public meetings. An archive of the CAC’s work will be posted on the USRC page of the Metrolinx website. The Convener (Metrolinx) will: • Respect and support the independence and integrity of the Committee at all times; • Provide material for review in advance of CAC meetings, where possible; • Support the Committee with the expertise it needs to provide strong advice to Metrolinx; • Ensure the Committee is kept up to date on design and planning work to ensure the work of the committee is integrated with the project team; • Give careful consideration to all questions and advice from CAC members received during and outside of designated meetings in a timely fashion; • Incorporate wherever possible the advice received by the Committee; • Determine if advice from the CAC is broadly consistent with Metrolinx and City of Toronto policies, regulations and principles and does not contravene established Provincial regulations and policies, or place undue fiscal burden on Metrolinx, the City of Toronto, or the Province, any other level of government, or area stakeholders; • Review advice from the CAC and report back to the CAC on how their advice has been considered or provide an explanation of specific project constraints through the website and in person at CAC meetings; and • Provide reasonable notice to CAC members for all requests. The facilitators (Metrolinx staff and/or independent facilitator retained by Metrolinx) will: • Coordinate and facilitate consultation meetings; • Develop meeting agendas in consultation with the CAC; • Produce a summary report for each meeting (to be circulated to participants in draft before finalizing); • Post meeting summary reports on the Metrolinx website for public viewing at http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/rer/rer_usrc.aspx; and • Assist in the resolution of issues, as required. USRC CAC Terms of Reference – FINAL Page 3 of 4 7. Approach to decision-making: The CAC is acting in an advisory capacity to Metrolinx. The CAC will strive to make decisions by consensus. In the event that consensus cannot be reached, different opinions will be documented and the participants will decide whether there is still value in continuing the CAC consultation process. By participating as members of the CAC, members are not expected to waive their rights to participate in the democratic process, and may continue to participate through other channels. 8. Logistics: The working language of the committee is English. Regrettably translation services are not available. The Committee will meet at agreed upon times and locations throughout the duration of the expansion program. Meetings will happen at a minimum monthly, and more frequently if needed, as determined by CAC members and Metrolinx. 9. Concluding the CAC: Consultation with the CAC will conclude when CAC members and/or Metrolinx feel that there is no further value in continuing their work together. A notice of completion of this CAC, along with the outcomes achieved, will be sent by Metrolinx to all participants. USRC CAC Terms of Reference – FINAL Page 4 of 4 .