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NEWSLETTER – March 2005 | Past issues, visit the [Newsletter Archives]Mid-Peninsula Highway Renamed
the Niagara to GTA Corridor
In direct response to the concerns of COPE, other citizens and municipal governments, the current provincial government re-evaluated the plans for the proposed Mid Peninsula Highway (MPH). The result of this review now forms part of the province's Greenbelt and Places to Grow initiatives. The concept of the MPH has been included in these long-term plans - only now it is referred to as the Niagara to GTA corridor. COPE's comments on the Greenbelt and Places to Grow initiatives can be found on our website at www.stophighway.com.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has completed the draft Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference for the Niagara to GTA Corridor. The location of the planned transportation corridor is almost identical to the original location (option "C") of the MPH. (See maps on page 2)
Public Information Centres (PICs):
The Ministry of Transportation has announced the dates and locations of the Public Information Centres for the Niagara to GTA Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference. Unlike the PICs for the MPH, these sessions are informal drop-in events. We believe this means no opportunity for public comment, as allowed at the MPH PICs, will be allowed at these sessions.
8:00 p.m., at the dates and locations provided below
Thursday March 31/05
Renaissance Banquet and Special Events Centre
2289 Barton Street East
Hamilton
Tuesday April 5 / 05
Atrium Conference Centre
5420 North Service Road
Burlington
Thursday April 7 / 05
Quality Hotel Pkwy Convention Centre, Merlot Ballroom
327 Ontario Street
St. Catharines
Tuesday April 12 / 05
Milton Memorial Arena,
Lions Club Hall
77 Thompson Road South
Milton
Wednesday April 13 /05
Rockton World's Fairground
812 Old Highway 8
Rockton
Thursday April 14 / 05
Royal Canadian Legion
383 Morningstar Avenue
Welland
Voice Your Opinion:
The corridor would be constructed over mostly rural and wild areas and severely affect hundreds of species of wildlife and plant life, through habitat destruction and reduced air and water quality. Highway runoff has been shown to be among the most toxic substances affecting streams and wetlands.
If you can't attend a meeting, please take the time to remind the Premier, the Minister of Transportation, and your local MPP that we expect a full environmental assessment that determines the need for the economic corridor and considers all options.
The MTO’s draft Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference for the Niagara to GTA Corridor can be viewed at: www.niagara-gta.com.
Comments must be submitted by May 6, 2005.
Premier Dalton McGuinty
Queen's Park
Room 281, Main Legislative Building
Toronto, ON
M7A 1A4
dalton_mcguinty-mpp@ontla.ola.org
Harinder Takhar, Minister of Transportation
Ministry of Transportation
77 Wellesley St W, 3rd Flr, Ferguson Block
Toronto ON M7A 1Z8
htakhar.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Cope's position on the MPH was that a Full environmental assessment must be completed before paving over the Niagara Escarpment and doing irreversible damage to our national treasure. We appreciate the fact that the new draft EA includes an unscoped, full EA with the "do nothing" and "alternative to" options. But we understand a full EA must determine the NEED for a corridor or highway. If a need is determined, all available options such as marine, rail, and "do nothing" must be considered.
COPEs Future Role:
The original four MPH route options.
The new Niagara to GTA Corridor
Membership Information:
The efforts to stop the highway may be long term. Your commitment and energy can help further the fight. You can join COPE through the website or by writing to: COPE, PO Box 40548, Upper Brant Postal Outlet, Burlington, Ont., L7P 4W1.
Contact COPE:
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2002 - 2007 COPE
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