Proposed GTA West Highway designated for Federal Review

Halton Hills, ON – An early opponent of the proposed GTA West Highway, Mayor Rick Bonnette was pleased to be informed on May 3rd that the highway was being designated under the Federal Impact Assessment Act. In a letter received from The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, P.C., M.P., Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, the Minister indicated that the basis for designating the project was the potential for the proposed highway to cause adverse effects on the critical habitat of species at risk. The Minister also took into account views expressed by the public, Indigenous groups and municipalities, including concerns expressed from the Town of Halton Hills. “Council for the Town of Halton Hills has consistently expressed its opposition to this proposed highway for many years,” said Mayor Bonnette. “This 400 series highway is old thinking and should not trump environmental concerns that threaten key species and natural habitat. Thank you to Minister Wilkinson for designating the GTA West highway. I ask that the impact assessment proceed as quickly as possible so communities can plan with certainty”. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is proposing to construct and maintain a new 400 series highway. As proposed, the ‘GTA West highway’ project, which will be called highway 413 upon completion, would pass through the municipalities of Vaughan, Caledon, Brampton, and Halton Hills. For over ten years, communities have been dealing with the uncertainty of whether this highway will proceed or not. Under the previous provincial government, the project was cancelled only to be re-opened by the current provincial government.