April 18, 2001
The Honourable Mike Harris
Premier of Ontario
Ontario Legislature Building
Queens Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A1
Dear Premier Harris
Re: Asbestos Factory Site
Lawrence Avenue East/Port Union Road/CNR, Yellow Moon - Scarborough
As you will recall the question of asbestos pollution has been of prime concern to this community. The former asbestos factory building has been demolished, but there is an application before the Ontario Municipal Board to build 220 semi-detached and multi-family housing units on the 24-acre site. In the view of many people in the community, dangerous fibres will remain in the soil in spite of rehabilitation measures. A case in point recently revealed that friable asbestos remained on the site after it was allegedly rehabilitated.
Last year, after requests extending over 52 years, a pedestrian walk was constructed from Port Union Road under the Canadian National Railway tracks to the Lake Ontario Waterfront. Once this access walk is opened, there will be a great need for automobile parking. The factory site adjoins Port Union Road and is separated from the lakefront by the CNR track. The factory site is well situated for parking facilities.
The joint commitment by the City of Toronto, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to preserve and enhance the waterfront for people is a commendable objective. Our specific interest is in the lakeshore from Highland Creek to the Rouge River. Working with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Municipality, plans have been created for waterfront trails, beach development and fish habitat protection. The purchase of the factory site for public purposes would be an opportunity to accommodate parking for people coming to the lakeshore by car, as well providing a park area and related uses. It would effectively remove an area of asbestos pollution from development and danger to people.
As the Yellow Moon application for semi-detached and multi-family housing on the factory site is before the Ontario Municipal Board, it is urgently recommended:
That the former asbestos factory site, at Lawrence Avenue East and Port Union Road and the Canadian National Railway track adjoining Lake Ontario, be acquired for public purpose for parking, park and related services
And,
That the proposed housing development in view of its potential danger to people, be not entertained.
I am also writing to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Mayor Mel Lastman about these issues.
We seek your support in the implementation of these recommendations.
Yours sincerely
William A. Dempsey
Honorary Secretary
Cc: Mr. J.S. Gilchrist, M.P.P. Scarborough East
Bob Baron, President CCRA
Liz Bowers, Chair Planning Committee, CCRA
Gay Cowbourne, Past President, CCRA