Caledon requests further study of GTA West corridor

February 25, 2021 -- Faced with the prospect of a projected population increase from 75,000 now to 300,000 in 2051 and a rural/village  transportation network that is being overwhelmed with commercial and commuter traffic within the GTA, the Town of Caledon is calling on the province to ensure the future includes a responsible and sustainable transportation corridor.

“Caledon is set to grow by leaps and bounds over the next few years, regardless of what happens with the GTA West corridor.  We need to plan smart so that we have a system for moving people, goods and services in a responsible and sustainable way,” said Mayor Allan Thompson. “Ontario needs to build a transportation corridor that allows for the best of current and future efficient technologies to be incorporated into the infrastructure.”

Council is also requesting that the federal government conduct an environmental assessment of the project and the provincial government hold additional public consultations so that Caledon residents can provide further input.

“We have to ensure that any infrastructure development is done in a way that respects Caledon’s distinctive agricultural, natural, environmental and cultural heritage assets,” Thompson said.  “It is important that residents have access to accurate information so they can form their own opinions...and I will continue to work to represent all of Caledon and ensure that everyone can have their voice heard.”

At its February 16 meeting, Council unanimously passed the following resolution:

That the Mayor write a letter to the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, requesting that the Ministry host a public information centre for Caledon residents for the purpose of receiving and answering public questions and addressing concerns related to the Province’s confirmed GTA West Multimodal Transportation Corridor;

That the Mayor write a letter to the Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister, requesting that the Federal Government conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed highway as has been done by Ecojustice Canada on behalf of Environmental Defence and the Town of Halton Hills;

And further that the Honourable Sylvia Jones, MPP, Dufferin Caledon and the Regional Municipality of Peel, be provided a copy of this request.

The Town is requesting the cities of Brampton and Mississauga support an environmental assessment study in order to ensure that a regional transportation network can accommodate future growth in a coordinated manner. 

“Both Brampton and Mississauga have seen what happens when sprawl goes unchecked without the proper infrastructure in place,” Thompson said. “We want to ensure that Caledon’s distinctive natural, agricultural and environmental character is preserved and to do that I urge my colleagues to support a stringent, thorough and comprehensive EA and consultation process.”

At its February 25, 2021 meeting, Peel Regional Council voted to refer a motion from Mississauga opposing the provincial highway project back to staff for further study and to revisit the motion in two weeks.

About the GTA West Transportation Corridor

Following several public information centres in 2019, in August 2020 the province announced a preferred route for the GTA West Transportation Corridor. The project is currently the subject of a provincial environmental assessment. 

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Media contact:
Catherine McLean
Director, Customer Service and Communications
905.584.2272 x. 4146 | catherine.mclean@caledon.ca
www.caledon.ca | @YourCaledon