Dr. Li Preti expresses a strong desire to see the Spadina Subway extended northward from Downsview Station to serve the huge student population at York University and beyond. Press coverage of this dream goes back more than ten years ago, when he began advocating for this expansion. This also supports his determination to bring new developments to our community, expanding the potential for greater employment and training opportunities.
Councillor Li Preti is urging provincial politicians to support a comprehensive strategy to extend the Spadina subway line north to York University and Steeles Ave. In May of 1990, Li Preti urged representatives, “It is up to us to convince the Province that they consider York University and Steeles Ave. as the only alternative to meet the rapid transit needs of public transit needs of our community”. The need for public transit is greater “in the less affluent north-west because public transit is supposed to carry people who can’t afford cars,” Li Preti said. A lot of development projects are slated along the subway route, i.e. the Downsview Base, the former Bramalea development of York, etc. This is in addition to the more than 50,000 students and visitors that flock York University everyday, Li Preti points out