York Region is urging the provincial government to allow the GTA West Transportation Corridor to be reviewed by the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority to address some residents' concerns about the highway.
York Region has already endorsed the major 400-series highway project that would cut through York, Peel and Halton, but at their meeting today, councillors found themselves torn between drivers — particularly in Vaughan — who want the highway to alleviate chronic traffic congestion, and the residents along the proposed route who fear what it will do their lives, homes, and the environment.
A report updating regional council on the status of the project indicated the Ministry of Transportation has begun the preliminary design phase of the environmental assessment for the project.
Several deputants spoke virtually, calling on York Region to withdraw its support of the highway.
"Please rethink the GTA West Corridor; there is a chance to change your mind," said resident Sherry Draisey. "While there may be some benefit to Vaughan in having it cross through ... the negative impact on King Township seems to substantially (outweigh) any benefit."
The transit corridor in question would provide a link from Highway 400 near Vaughan and Highway 407 near Halton.
The project has been in the works for years, and was even cancelled by the previous Liberal government, only to be revived in 2018 by the Progressive Conservatives.
Opponents had several criticisms of the transit corridor:
- Construction, traffic and expropriation of land would disrupt people's lives
- It would encourage more suburban sprawl
- A proper environmental assessment has not been carried out, or is based on decade-old data
- It will directly harm the environment and contribute to global warming
- Not enough public consultation has happened, and people are being taken by surprise.
York Region commissioner of transportation Paul Jankowski said the public has been extensively consulted about the project for years.
"The provincial and regional planning was endorsed and subject to a lot of public consultation, both in the 2009 and 2016 transportation master plan initiatives the region carried out," Jankowski said.
"That planning looked not just at today's transportation challenges, but also long-term challenges. The transportation solutions endorsed by this council included not just the highway but also included public transit improvements ... and other rapid transit developments."
Vaughan Regional Councillor Linda Jackson said she sympathizes with residents who have been left in the dark about the details of the project by the provincial government, arguing that the province has not been responding to the region's questions either.
"It seems to go in one ear and out the other," she said.
Nonetheless, she said, the fact remains that the corridor is desperately needed by people across York Region who have to travel the badly congested roads around Vaughan.
"I've been involved in elections in Vaughan since 1974, during all that time the No. 1 issue was always taxes being too high, but it 2018 ... the No. 1 concern was transportation, and I know my colleagues will agree with me," she said.
"People say they can't move. They are stuck in traffic."
Jackson also noted that even if York Region withdrew its support for the project, it would be unable to stop the province from doing as it pleased. As a compromise, she proposed calling on the province to submit the project to a voluntary assessment by Toronto Region and Conservation Authority to look into some of the concerns raised by opponents.
The motion passed, and a request will be sent to the provincial government.
