Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the proposal to refine the protected corridor for future electricity transmission infrastructure in the Northwest Greater Toronto Area. It is understood that the revised Narrowed Area of Interest (NAI) will remain protected from development under the Provincial Planning Statement until the construction of transmission infrastructure. Town of Halton Hills staff appreciate that updated design work on Highway 413 and updated electricity demand forecasts have provided greater clarity in respect of the land expected to be required to support future infrastructure. However, within the Town of Halton Hills, the proposed deviation from the current Highway 413 Focused Analysis Area (FAA), impacts additional land which would be under corridor protection for the foreseeable future.
The Ontario Land Tribunal just recently approved the Premier Gateway Employment Area Phase 2B Secondary Plan for lands north of Steeles Avenue, generally between the Eighth Line and Winston Churchill Boulevard. Just north of the highway 401/ 407 interchange, the proposed area identified outside of the current FAA, impacts lands within this Secondary Plan, specifically the property located at 14829 Steeles Avenue, where there is an active development application in place for a large industrial/warehousing facility. Similarly, the proposed changes to the NAI could compromise the integrity of the approved road network established through the OLT mediation process, potentially undermining future connectivity within Premier Gateway Phase 2B Secondary Plan. Ensuring these lands are developed in alignment with the recently approved Secondary Plan will enable the Town to accommodate projected employment growth and drive economic development in this key area.
Another portion of the proposed NAI that now deviates from the FAA, just west of Winston Churchill Boulevard, partially impacts a number of rural properties including the Croatian Franciscan Centre, located at 9118 Winston Church Blvd. This site is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Consideration should be given to ensuring that this important place of worship and community hub is not impacted by any proposed refinements to the NAI.
Town staff reiterates Credit Valley Conservation’s comments, provided to MEM on October 21, 2025, regarding the potential impacts that the newly identified lands, which extend beyond the existing alignment, could have to wetlands including Provincially Significant Wetlands, and tributaries of Levi Creek, located east of 10th Line and south of Five Side Road.
The Town recommends that MEM stay within the boundaries previously identified in the NAI released in May 2025, which aligned with the Hwy 413 FAA, to avoid the potential implications listed above. In addition, Town staff request that the Ministry of Energy engages with the Town through the advancement of the planning work on the Northwest GTA Transmission Corridor and any proposed refinements of the Narrowed Area of Interest (NAI). MEM should also clarify the timing for when the transmission line is expected to be built. This will provide additional clarity regarding the lands that will continue to be under corridor protection for the foreseeable future.
Town staff recommend that MEM continue to coordinate with the MTO so that corridor refinements are completed in a coordinated manner to minimize impacts to the Town, the environment and landowners in the area.