COPE Newsletter

Greetings Cope Members:

The mild summer and the relative quiet surrounding the Mid Peninsula Highway (MPH), the promise by the present government to complete a full Environmental Assessment on the MPH and the resulting withdrawal of a law suit against the Provincial government (by City of Burlington and Region of Halton ) because the reason to pursue that law suit has been removed, may have lulled us into a false sense of security. However, your COPE Coordinating Committee (CCC) has not be inattentive. CCC has attended public consultation sessions and workshops on the Golden Horseshoe Greenbelt Task Force and the Places to Grow, a Growth Management Plan for the Golden Horseshoe. COPE has submitted a position paper on the Greenbelt initiative and is currently compiling a position paper on the Growth Plan.

We applaud the government for proposing these planning measures, which will potentially support a liveable environment despite vast population growth. However, we are also aware of an "Economic Corridor" on a Growth Management Plan map that looks very much like the MPH. In the past, attendance at public consultation sessions and written feed back has been used by the government to gage the interest, approval or disapproval of their initiatives.

This is the primary reason for sending this message.

COPE is dedicated to protecting the Niagara Escarpment; ensuring no new highway cuts thru the Escarpment and that all alternatives to roads are fully explored. We need the government to know we are steadfast in our dedication. It is imperative that, in addition to formal COPE submissions, all COPE members make the effort to reiterate this message. That we do not want the MPH nor is it needed. Furthermore, highways lead to urban sprawl . We want to encourage the building of communities that reduce the need to commute and increase investment in public transit . Urging government to take these steps could potentially eliminate the need for such environmentally harmful choices as building the MPH.

Please take the time to voice your opinion on the Places to Grow Discussion Paper . The deadline is SEPTEMBER 24, 2004

We need to tell Minister Caplan that renaming the corridor from the MPH to an "economic corridor" has not camouflaged the issue. Also, that a full environmental assessment for the MPH / economic corridor means completing a valid needs assessment (something that was never done) and considering ALL options.

To obtain a copy of the discussion paper : Phone toll free line 1-866-479-9781
or visit : www.placestogrow.pir.gov.on.ca

Submit your written comments to :
Growth Plan for Greater Golden Horseshoe
Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal Smart Growth Secretariat
777 Bay St, 16th floor
Toronto ON M5G 2E5
FAX: 416-585-7639
E-mail: placestogrow.pir.gov.on.ca

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Halton Region is currently consulting the public on their development plans. Please show your interest with your presence.
Thursday, September 9th, 2004
Halton Region Center
1151 Bronte Rd, Oakville
Open House at 6:00 p.m. Presentation 7:00 P.M.

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The City of Hamilton is providing open houses on their Transportation Master Plan
The draft policy papers are available at: www.Hamilton.ca/city-wide-tmp

Open House
Wednesday, September 8th, 2004
Stoney Creek City Hall, 777 Highway 8
6:30PM to 8:30 PM
Additional information available from Brian Hollingworth, IBI at: bhollingworth@ibigroup.com

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The need to voice our opposition to the MPH is still important. As a group, we have made great headway, but the fight isn't over yet. Please add your voice to the discussion.
Sincerely,

Cope Co-Ordinating Committee

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C.O.P.E. You can visit our website to get up-to-date information on our fight. Please note that we are in the process of revamping the site: stophighway.com

We need your help, your participation and your financial support.

Please take the time to complete the form below, and please give what you can. All funds go directly towards the fight -- the executive committee takes no salaries or honouraria and have thus far contributed substantial amounts of their own time and money. Please join us in our fight. There is strength in numbers and only as a united group can we continue to fight this poorly-thought-out plan to pave great portions of the Niagara Peninsula and Escarpment.

Mail your membership fee/donation to:

C.O.P.E.

P.O. Box 20014 , 2211 Brant Street

Burlington, Ontario. L7P 0A4

Enclosed is a membership/donation fee of $10.00 OR I prefer to contribute

$ ___________.

Name:______________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________

EMail: _____________________________________________________________________

Thanks. If you have any expertise to offer or any advice or recommendations, please let us know via our website or by mail.

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