Province Beings Consultation
GTA West Corridor Review
NRU
Oct. 12, 2016
By Andrew Cohrs
After suspending the environmental assessment of the controversial GTA West Corridor in December 2015, the province announced Friday that consultation has now begun. Opponents of the proposed highway are pleased that the members of the independent review panel have been named.
The independent panel consists of former provincial deputy minister Gail Beggs (chair), environmental lawyer and Gowlings partner Rod Northey and Ryerson school of urban and regional planning assistant professor Matthias Sweet, who specializes in data-driven transportation policy. The panel’s mandate is to prepare a “strategic assessment of potential alternative approaches to meeting future transportation demand and infrastructure needs, to ensure the efficient movement of passengers and goods in the GTA West corridor.”
Environmental groups, concerned that a new highway will only attract more vehicles, exacerbate traffic congestion and increase environmental impacts, are encouraged by the independent panel.
“There was very little analysis put forward to the public about why we would want to build a new four-lane highway and sort of perpetuate this northern march of highways, especially in the greenbelt so I think it’s good to have some folks that have some expertise to stand back and have a look at whether this is a good idea,” Environmental Defence executive director Tim Gray told NRU. “I think that given the nature of appointing a public panel and collecting broader information, is that they will conclude the same thing as that a lot of other observers have, which is that this highway could perpetuate sprawl, is going to impact a lot of very important natural areas on the greenbelt and do very little to alleviate congestion ... it is hard to imagine that [the panel] would conclude that this highway is a good idea.”
The proposed highway through the northern part of the GTA could pass through several GTA municipalities including Milton, Halton Hills, Caledon, Brampton, Mississauga, King and Vaughan and lands are currently frozen from development along its potential route until a decision has been reached. Some of these municipalities have expressed support for the highway including Mississauga, Caledon, Brampton, and York Region. These municipalities view the highway as a critical addition to their transportation networks, supporting the efficient movement of goods and directing growth to their regions. [See NRU March 2 and July 27, 2016.]
The internal review is evaluating how the corridor aligns with the provincial policy goals given its investment in public transit, action on climate change, Growth Plan review and the new technology affecting transportation such as driver-less cars and ride sharing services.
“With new emerging technologies and the government’s commitment to help protect the environment and the Greenbelt, it is essential to have a forward looking plan when it comes to dealing with congestion and transportation needs,” transportation minister Steven Del Duca said in a media release.
The Premier’s mandate letter to Del Duca indicates that a decision on the future of the corridor is anticipated by the end of 2016. The deadline for submissions is November 11.
