Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act proposed through Bill 212. Staff from the Town of Halton Hills has the following comments:

• The Town is concerned with the provisions of the Act that override most municipal by-laws that might prevent or restrict the delivery of goods or services to facilitate around-the-clock, 24/7 construction of HWY 413, including restrictions relating to noise or the use of highways under the jurisdiction of the municipality. It is critical that activities which will be disruptive to the municipality and its residents be communicated in advance and mitigation strategies be put in place to minimize impacts to residents and businesses in the area. It is important to highlight that Project 1 (embankment for a ramp for the 401/413 interchange) is located within the Town’s Premier Gateway Employment Area. Currently there are a number of planned and ongoing municipal transportation and water/wastewater projects, active businesses such as the Toronto Premium Outlet and ongoing development in the area. Coordination with active businesses and ongoing construction projects in the area should be prioritized. To minimize disruptions and ensure a regular communication channel, municipal staff should have direct access to a construction liaison officer or other field staff working on the project.

• The Act places restrictions regarding obtaining compensation in relation to a site inspection on land under municipal ownership. Specifying that if the property owner is a municipality or a local board within the meaning of the Municipal Act, 2001 or the City of Toronto Act, 2006, the Minister may compensate the property owner for any damages resulting from the site inspection, but does not have to; and that if the Minister compensates the property owner, the Minister shall decide the quantum of compensation and may provide only partial compensation. Site inspection activities, include altering in any manner any natural or artificial feature of the property to carry out early works. To alter in any manner could mean that negative impacts on the Town’s NHS are not mitigated, including compensated for. The wording should be clarified to add that reasonable harm to the environment will be avoided during site inspections and if reasonable harm is proposed that the Town be consulted to review mitigation and that any residual losses be compensated.