2041 Northern Ontario multimodal transportation strategy

Updates

The Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Northern Development and Mines are seeking feedback on a draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy. The draft Strategy includes a vision, goals and directions to guide improvements to the transportation system — including road, rail, air and marine transport modes, and other key aspects of the transportation system — through a planning horizon of 2041. A final Strategy is anticipated to be ready at the end of 2017, accompanied by a first Action Plan.

This posting is the third of three EBR postings planned for this study:

• July to September 2017, for feedback on the draft Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy.

The previous two postings were as follows:

• June to July 2016, establishing the context and summarizing implications and considerations for strategy development; and
• October to December 2016, presenting a transportation systems analysis and potential strategic directions.

This policy supports the Ministry of Transportation’s Statement of Environmental Values, including:

• Considering the natural environment in directions included in the draft;
• Understanding environmental concerns during decision-making;
• Incorporating integrated transportation and land use planning;
• Undertaking extensive research and development; and
• Employing education and promotion of Phase 3 of the strategy.

Description of policy

The Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines have prepared a draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy. The draft Strategy adopts an integrated multimodal approach that considers road, rail, air and marine transport modes, and other important aspects of the transportation system.

The Strategy takes into consideration climate change impacts and the natural environmental features in Northern Ontario, through integrated transportation planning, an understanding of environmental concerns during the decision-making process, research and development, as well as education and promotion. The draft Strategy has been prepared with input from Indigenous peoples, public and private stakeholders, and the public.

The draft Strategy contains a vision statement, five goals, and 37 directions to guide transportation policy, program and investment opportunities, for a modern and sustainable transportation system in Northern Ontario over the next 25 years.

This Environmental Registry posting:

• Shares the draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy document, which will guide transportation planning in the region over the next 25 years; and
• Looks for public input on the vision, goals, and directions included in the draft Strategy.

Purpose of policy

To develop a Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy, which is a key initiative to support the implementation of the transportation directions in the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario (2011). The draft Strategy sets out a vision and directions to support transportation planning and development in Northern Ontario over the next 25 years. The Strategy uses an integrated multimodal approach that considers highway, marine, air, rail, and other modes of transportation in the context of economic growth, quality of life and environmental stewardship.

Other information

To help finalize the 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy, the Province is seeking feedback on the following questions:

Question 1: How well does the vision statement below align with your vision for the Northern Ontario transportation system?

The Strategy’s vision statement is as follows:

Northern Ontario’s transportation system is responsive to economic, social and environmental needs and change, and is transformative in supporting new economic activity, healthy communities and a cleaner environment.

Question 2: Taken together, how well do you think the five goals below respond to the challenges that the northern Ontario transportation system faces now and into the future?

There are 5 goals that underpin the Strategy:

Goal 1: Connected and Prosperous: Increase and modernize transportation options to support everyday living and economic activity in northern Ontario.

Goal 2: Safe and Reliable: Enhance traveler safety and system reliability and minimize travel delays and complications.

Goal 3: Address Remote and Far North Challenges: Remote and Far North communities to address unique transportation needs, with more reliable connections between communities, and to the all-season ground transportation network.

Goal 4: Integrated and Innovative: Anticipate and respond to economic, technological, environmental and social change to link people, resources and businesses.

Goal 5: Healthy and Sustainable: Create a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system in northern Ontario by reducing GHG and other environmental and human health impacts.

Question 3: Under each goal, which directions are the most important to move forward on in the next 10 years?

Question 4: Would you add, remove or change any directions under any of the goals? If so, how?

To access an electronic copy of the draft strategy, and for additional information please access the study website or e-mail contact@nomts.ca.

Public consultation

This proposal was posted for a 65 day public review and comment period starting July 12, 2017. Comments were to be received by September 15, 2017.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

Other public consultation opportunities

In accordance with the Ministry of Transportation’s Statement of Environmental Values, the Ministry believes that public consultation is critical to sound environmental decision making. The public is invited to submit written comments regarding the draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy to the Ministry EBR Coordinator using the contact information provided. Additionally, you may submit your comments online. Comments can be submitted until September 15, 2017. Please quote the Environmental Registry Number when submitting comments.

The Ministry will be pleased to review all comments and advice regarding the Strategy’s contents, structure, and approach. The Ministry of Transportation will take all public comments received during the posting of the draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy into consideration during the finalizing of the document.

For further technical information contact:

Caroline de Groot
Team Leader
Provincial Planning Office
Transportation Planning Branch
Ministry of Transportation
777 Bay Street, 7^th Floor, Suite 700
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2J8
T: 416-585-7193

In addition to this posting to the Environmental Registry, the ministry is using an online engagement tool to gather feedback. The tool will be available in early July on the study website

Comments may also be submitted by e-mail at contact@nomts.ca and by mail at:

Draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy
c/o Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
70 Foster Dr., Roberta Bondar Pl, Suite 200
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6V8

The ministry will also be working with Indigenous communities to hold Indigenous engagement sessions on the draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy.

Contact

Katerina Minaeva
EBR Coordinator
Environmental Policy Office
777 Bay Street, 7^th Floor, Suite 700
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2J8
T: 416-585-6310

All comments will be considered as part of the decision-making by the ministry if they:

1. Are submitted online through this EBR posting or submitted in writing with the EBR Registry number clearly referenced; and
2. Are received by the Contact person within the specified comment period.

Please Note: No acknowledgment or individual response will be provided to those who comment. All comments and submissions received will become part of the public record.