'It's a disaster': Halton MPs join chorus of voices opposing GTA West Corridor highway

Theifp.ca
March 9, 2021
Bryan Myers

The Town of Halton Hills has been firmly against the GTA West Corridor project since it was first proposed more than a decade ago.

That opposition is now being echoed by officials in neighbouring communities -- and beyond.

Two Halton-area MPs are urging Premier Doug Ford to halt construction.

“It’s not something we need -- and environmentally it’s a disaster,” said Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff, who penned a letter to Ford alongside Milton MP Adam van Koeverden.

In the letter, they cite a number of reasons to stop the project -- from paving over environmentally-sensitive lands to exacerbating sprawl and climate change.

With an estimated price tag of $6 billion, studies show the new highway would save the average commuter between 30 and 60 seconds per trip.

Instead, investing in GO Train improvements could show more effective results, the Halton MPs believe.

Said Damoff, “Investing in public transit would be far better money spent than building a highway. We’ve already got the 407 that isn’t used.”

“I am certainly hearing from people in my riding they don’t think this highway is needed. I hope they take these concerns to heart.”

These concerned mirror what Halton Hills officials have expressed for years.

“The whole highway is an environmental concern,” said Halton Hills town and regional Coun. Jane Fogal, noting that construction would knock out 2,000 acres of farmland, and 400 acres of the Greenbelt. “That land cleans our water -- if you keep paving it, it’s not going to work.”

Recently, longtime supporters of the project have had a change of heart.

On March 2, the City of Vaughan yanked its support of the GTA West Corridor, citing too many red flags and uncertainties.

The City of Brampton and the Town of Caledon -- both longtime supporters of the highway expansion -- are now pushing for a federal environmental assessment, citing concerns over the province’s streamlined process.

Fogal added that in terms of addressing transit issues, “there are ways to do it that are much more effective, cheaper, and requires much less public investment.”

Among those options could be a dedicated truck lane on the 407, or GO Train improvements.

Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott admits he’s heard little support locally for the project.

“I hear from people on both sides of most every issue, but the vast majority of communications I’ve received on this has been opposed.”

Arnott has spoken against the plan numerous times since it began in 2007.

“I feel that our community is owed some answers on this issue by the Ministry of Transportation.”