Residents complain about Ontario Line construction — but Metrolinx exempt from city noise bylaws

As Toronto weather warms up and patios start to open, there's something else that inevitably comes along with the rising temperatures: construction season.

But for many living near Metrolinx's Ontario Line project, construction has already been a big disrupter. Yet what many people might not know is that when it comes to Metrolinx work, the agency is exempt from the city's noise bylaws.

Metrolinx says at its north site at Queen and Spadina, the work is happening around the clock, leaving no respite from the noise. 

"That's a little too much, especially in downtown Toronto," said Leen Taher, who lives near the site and also works from home.

"You're at home and there's construction 24/7, that's crazy. You need to have at least Saturdays and Sundays off for people to feel more at peace in their own home."

Taher has made multiple complaints to Metrolinx and says residents like her also want better communication about when the work is happening.

The city's bylaws say construction noise is not permitted "when it is clearly audible from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. or until 9 a.m. on Saturdays, all-day Sunday and stat holidays."

However, government projects are exempt from the noise bylaw, because of an amendment that was made in 2019.

Metrolinx says it is making every effort to minimize impacts to local residents, including using less disruptive equipment, and that it's monitoring noise levels.

In a statement the agency said "We are working with our contractor to explore different methods of construction to help reduce noise as work progresses."

Tor Oiamo, a Toronto Metropolitan University associate professor  in the department of geography and environmental studies, says it's a complicated issue, but there has to be a balance between finishing critical infrastructure in a timely manner and considering people's health and wellbeing.

"But there should nonetheless be a pretty firm application and use of all types of mitigation that exist," Oiamo said.

"So if it has to go on beyond the normal hours of construction allowed by the city, there should be extra care taken to make sure that those impacts are as minimal as possible."