Co-operation key on Yonge subway extension

Yorkregion.com
March 31, 2016

Recently I was having my regular meeting over a cup of coffee with my friend and colleague, the Minister of Transportation and Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca.

We meet regularly to assess the challenges and opportunities we face in our city, province and country. We spoke about how fortunate we are to have the support of the citizens of Vaughan to help us achieve positive results in key areas, such as job creation, economic growth, environmental sustainability and community safety. On this day we spoke about how we were both looking forward to the imminent ground breaking of the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as the recently announced Hwy. 427 extension.

These are important milestones for our community and our partnership as elected officials who share in the common agenda of improving the quality of life and standard of living of our residents.

As is usually the case we take stock of our community’s collective accomplishments but very quickly our conversation turns to the issues that require our continued attention. I told Steven that at the recent Mayor’s Luncheon organized by the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce where 700 people were present, the topic of transit often came up. I could safely say that it was a top-of-mind issue. Specifically, I heard a great deal about the need to extend the Yonge subway - a cause I promoted and highlighted during my speech.

After our conversation on my drive back to the office, I felt confident that our Minister of Transportation is a strong supporter of the Yonge subway extension. We were both on the same page. Engineering and design work should start now. Demand for the extension is self-evident and supported by reliable statistics. A GTHA transit strategy includes York Region. Traffic congestion does not see municipal boundaries. The Yonge extension will improve the environment by eliminating the 2,500 daily bus trips, promote intensification, reduce urban sprawl and drive economic growth.

I am sure that like Vaughan Council, York Region Council and York Region residents, the minister appreciates the importance of this issue. If past behaviour is a good indicator of future behaviour, then I am confident we will soon hear good news from this minister soon on this file, one which he fully understands and cares about.

Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua