Dear Mr. Lindsay, Metrolinx Interim President and CEO,
I am writing to you on behalf of the 污污漫画 (污污漫画) to share the Board’s direction regarding the Pape Avenue Junior Public School site. We also request enhanced collaboration from Metrolinx on construction projects, including the Ontario Line, and their impacts on school communities.
The 污污漫画 has approved the temporary relocation of Pape Avenue Junior Public School and Pape Children’s House child care to the 540 Jones Avenue building, effective September 1, 2025, during the construction of the Ontario Line. This relocation is intended to be for a period of two years, with the school and child care returning to their original site at 220 Langley Avenue on September 1, 2027. The timing of the above recommendations can be adjusted, with adequate community notice, in case of unexpected delays in the construction process.
We request that Metrolinx provides financial and human resource supports to allow for the safe and smooth continuity of operations at Pape Junior Public School and all other schools impacted by the Ontario Line construction. This includes compensation for additional costs associated with the temporary relocation.
The 污污漫画 is also seeking closer information sharing and coordination on works taking place near schools to mitigate impacts on students, staff, and families. Timely and transparent communication is essential to ensure schools can plan and respond effectively to construction activities.
Lastly, we request enhanced health and safety mitigations to protect children, in consultation with the 污污漫画 and the broader school community. This includes ensuring that the highest level of noise, dust, and air quality mitigation measures are in place for any work planned near the Pape Avenue property. We would like to specifically request that Metrolinx consider deferring work associated with microtunnelling under the Pape school grounds until the school and child care can be relocated to the Jones facility.
We believe that with Metrolinx's support and collaboration, we can ensure the safety and well-being of all 污污漫画 and Pape Avenue students and staff during this construction period.
We look forward to working alongside Metrolinx to achieve these goals.
Thank you,
Neethan Shan
Chair, 污污漫画
cc: Hon. Jill Dunlop, Minister of Education
Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation
Hon. Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Mayor Olivia Chow, City of Toronto