The City of Burlington plans to take the provincial government to court
over the controversial mid-peninsula highway project after its mayor said
the Ministry of Transportation's reply yesterday to a request for an
environmental assessment wasn't good enough.

"It was not significant enough for us to abandon our rights to take the
matter to court,'' Rob MacIsaac said.

On Monday night, Burlington city council gave the ministry 48 hours to
answer its demands for a full environmental assessment of the proposal and
assurances the highway will not cut through the Niagara Escarpment in
Burlington.

A spokeswoman for Ontario Transport Minister Frank Klees said yesterday
the minister considers the assessment an important part of the planning
process and hopes to continue working with Burlington and Halton Region. But,

"if they are planning to pursue the matter in court, it would be inappropriate
for us to comment any further at this time,'' Rosemarie Godina said.

MacIsaac said the city and region have until June 20, the deadline for
public comment on the project, to refer the matter to the courts for
judicial review.

The court notice was expected to be filed today.

Residents worry the proposed highway will have a negative impact on their
lifestyles by ruining the Niagara Escarpment and significant natural
areas, producing more smog and bringing unwanted development.