Tory stands behind Scarborough subway despite study questioning population along route

Toronto, Mayor John Tory says new data that raises concerns about the density along the three routes being considered for the Scarborough subway extension hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm for the project.
The data, which was compiled by University of Toronto human geography professor Andre Sorensen for the Toronto Star, reveals that the proposed routes along Midland Avenue, McCowan Road and Bellamy Road all run through “extremely low density” areas.
In fact, Sorensen’s study suggests that the most populous corridor along Bellamy Road has less people living within 800 metres than little-used Don Mills and Yonge-Sheppard Stations on the Sheppard line, according to the Star.
“There have been a lot of studies of course — there is one going on now that is a city sponsored study — and we will take those results and those reports as they come and make the decision at the appropriate time on what we can do with the Scarborough subway,” Tory told reporters on Tuesday. “The bottom line is that Scarborough is going to get a subway, though. Scarborough needs a subway and the subway will be a good long-term investment for people and for jobs in Scarborough. That is something that I think is going to be a great thing.”
According to Sorensen’s data, a total of 11,071 people live within 800 metres of the proposed Midland Avenue route, 10,635 people are within the same distance of the proposed route along McCowan Road and another 14,827 are within that range of the proposed Bellamy Road route.
The analysis uses 2011 census and does not reflect anticipated ridership numbers.
Discussing the data with reporters on Tuesday, Scarborough East Coun. Paul Ainslie said that he “couldn’t see” a subway going down Bellamy Road despite the area having higher population numbers but will leave the decision up to the experts.
“We are in an examination phase with our transportation staff and the three routes that are being proposed. We are going to have a long healthy debate on it at city council I assume,” he said.
The City of Toronto will hold a series of public consultations on the Scarborough subway extension in the coming weeks. The first session is scheduled for the Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute on June 13.