With respect to ERO 019-1882…

With respect to ERO 019-1882, Proposed regulation for a streamlined environmental assessment process for the Ministry of Transportation’s Greater Toronto Area West Transportation Corridor project, Halton Region notes that:

• at its Council Meeting of November 20, 2019, Council passed a motion that the Region of Halton Council opposes further investment by the Province in the GTA West Transportation Corridor, as responding to the climate emergency requires immediate reevaluation of all transportation plans to ensure that those investments help to reduce GHG emissions (see attached); and
• through Staff Report LPS115-19/PW-48-19 – Greater Toronto Area West Transportation Corridor Route Planning and Environmental Assessment Study Public Information Centre #2 - Technically Preferred Route, a number of concerns were raised with respect to the technically preferred route.

In light of the above, Halton Region has the following comments:

• It is the expectation of the Region that the streamlined environmental assessment process for the GTA West Transportation Corridor project will ensure that the climate emergency is considered;
• It is the expectation of the Region that the consultation process identified as part of the streamlined environmental assessment process for the GTA West Transportation Corridor project will include working with the Region to identify solutions to the concerns raised in Staff report LPS115-19/PW-48-19.
• The ERO proposals identifies a number of early works projects that could proceed before the completion of the draft Environmental Impact Assessment report. These projects include new bridge construction, bridge replacement or expansion, transitway station construction and utility relocation. The Region requests clarification on how an assessment of the impacts to the Regional Natural Heritage System, Agricultural lands and Regional infrastructure will be considered for these works in advance of the completion of the draft Environmental Impact Assessment report.
• Further to the above, the Region requests clarification on how affected landowners and stakeholders will be consulted on the early works projects.
• The Region requests that through the streamlined environmental assessment process for the GTA West Transportation Corridor project, the impacts to the Region’s Natural Heritage System and water resources be fully reviewed both through the Early Works report and the Environmental Impact Assessment to minimize adverse impacts on these environmental resources.