NEWSMAKERS 2022: Transportation-related issues remain top of mind in Vaughan

From efforts to protect Greenbelt lands and Stop Highway 413 to citizens battling intensification, here is a look back at some of 2022's top stories

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 22, 2022
Brian Capitao

Transportation-related issues were a big deal in Vaughan in 2022, from the Stop Highway 413 movement earlier this year to alleged illegal truck yards running rampant in rural Kleinburg. Activists loudly protested the erosion of the Greenbelt, and intensification was certainly a large fear for a lot of residents. So, here’s a list of some of the top newsmakers of the year.

Building Hwy. 413 is the 'antithesis' of what ought to be done, says activist

The Ford-led government seems to be at odds with what people say they want and what the government wants to do. And Highway 413 is the perfect example of this.

This article touches on key issues surrounding the planned Highway 413, such as encroachment of the protected Greenbelt, despite traffic gridlock being a top issue for residents in the 905.

A recent EKOS poll found that suburban voters want more protections for the Greenbelt. This is anathema to what is being proposed.

This story cites federal data that shows that since the Progressive Conservatives have been at the helm of the province, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have gone up in Ontario.

Alleged 'illegal' truck yards in Kleinburg are hurting quality of life, say residents

The community of Kleinburg is fed up with what they feel are illegal operations going on in the rural part of town.

Massive storage containers are filling up yards that may or may not have permits to operate, but more troublesome is the very real impact the situation is having on the community.

Residents are vexed with what they feel is an assault on their senses from dust pollution from large cargo trucks and the sound of air hammers, causing a disturbance to their quiet way of life.

Some even believe that the trucks are a danger to their lives and fear being side-swiped while they commute to and from work.

This story will be one to follow in the coming year, as the City of Vaughan has declared there is a will to do something about it.

However, the changes to enforcement can’t come fast enough for residents like Mark Hopkins, who has compared Caledon’s proactive approach to Vaughan’s indecisiveness.

Woodbridge residents putting up fight against development they feel is unfair

A story this midsummer about a group of residents who took the fight to a developer.

For these residents, parking and future traffic would be a huge issue in the further development of their community. Many felt that when they bought their homes, they bought into a community and a way of life.

The proposed development would change that. Being one of the biggest buildings in the neighbourhood, there was a palpable fear that it would set a precedent of what is yet to come.

‘It’s very important to me’: Muslims from across the GTA commemorate Remembrance Day in Vaughan special prayer

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community’s celebration of Remembrance Day was a unique commemoration.

On the Friday before Remembrance Day, Muslims across the GTA gathered at the Baitul Islam Mosque Complex for a special Friday prayer.

The Remembrance Day event was a sombre spiritual affair, honouring the lives of Canadians who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Vaughan residents say parking enforcement officers at VMC are overzealous

Jay Niranjan shared a familiar experience with his frustration with parking enforcement at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

He and others have felt unjustly targeted by parking enforcement — and for Niranjan, it felt personal when dropping off his daughter, who has a physical disability.

Commuters of all kinds are finding it challenging using the short time span currently available and feel like they don’t have enough time to do a simple drop-off.

Some residents have suggested a Kiss-and-Ride be put in place, similar to what is at some of the GO stations, as a possible solution.

Miss Southern Ontario World opens up about her struggles with anxiety

Miss Southern Ontario World Nikita Dani held an event this year to help support York Region’s MOBYSS Bus whilst opening up about her own mental health struggles.