Stroller Parade at Queen's park

20 July 2009: With over 250 supporters both young and old in attendance, the Clean Train Coalition along with members of the Weston Community Coalition, hosted a very successful event this morning in front of Queen's Park. MPP Cheri DiNovo, who represents one of the affected areas in Parkdale-High Park released the following statement:

DiNovo, parents, tots decry Dalton’s diesel dreams
Queen's Park, July 20, 2009 - 3:00pm
Parkdale—High Park NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo joined with hundreds of west end Toronto parents and toddlers on the front lawn of the Legislative Assembly this morning to protest against the McGuinty government’s plan to allow up to 400 diesel trains to pollute their neighbourhoods each and every day.

The spirited and colourful “Clear Air for Little Lungs” stroller rally was organized by the Clean Train Coalition (www.cleantrain.ca ), a grassroots community organization formed to fight the plan to turn the Georgetown rail corridor into one of the world’s most congested, with 400 diesel trains rumbling daily through Toronto neighbourhoods such as Liberty Village, Parkdale, Roncesvalles, the Junction, Mount Dennis and Weston.

“The McGuinty government’s dirty trains will be running within one kilometre of 300,000 residents and in close proximity to 200 schools and 96 daycare centres! Those dirty fumes will have a lasting impact on the health of all families in these neighbourhoods,” DiNovo told the cheering crowd.

“Diesel train technology is out of date. “Diesel” Dalton McGuinty should set aside his pollution filled dreams and instead start looking out for the health and safety of those living along the corridor, especially small children like the ones at this morning’s rally. All improvements to the transit system should be done with clean, efficient electric technology,” DiNovo added.