MPP Arnott raises Wellington-Halton Hills transportation issues in Legislature
NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2016
MPP Arnott raises Wellington-Halton Hills transportation
issues in Legislature
(Queen’s Park) – Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott rose in Question Period on June 8 seeking
answers on local transportation concerns in Wellington-Halton Hills.
In his first question to Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca, Mr. Arnott asked for an update on
the status of the GTA West Corridor Study, which was put on hold by the Ministry of Transportation
(MTO) in December.
“The uncertainty surrounding the GTA West Corridor study is impacting the ability of the Town of
Halton Hills to plan for the future. Our Riding was opposed to Alternative 4-3 and we need to know
where this is going,” Mr. Arnott said. “Will the Minister explain the holdup, inform the House of the
status of the GTA West Corridor Study, and tell us when he is going to be making a public
announcement of what’s going to happen next?”
Mr. Arnott pointed out that when he, Town of Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette, Town staff, and
Regional Chair Gary Carr met with the Minister in January, the Minister promised that he would have
an update on the status of the project ‘soon.’
“That was almost five months ago now, which begs the question: how does the Minister define the
word ‘soon’?” he asked rhetorically.
“I remember that meeting that he asked for with partners from municipalities in his particular area,”
the Minister replied. “It was a great meeting; in fact, not the first meeting that I have had the
privilege to take part in with that particular Member who is a very strong advocate, I will admit, of
course, for his community. …As soon as we have completed the review internally that’s being
undertaken currently, we will provide a public update.”
In his supplementary question, Mr. Arnott reiterated the need to find a solution the problem of truck
traffic along Highway 7 through the Town of Halton Hills.
“There are serious concerns which have been expressed by Town Council and residents about the
ever-increasing truck traffic along Highway 7 in Acton, as well as in Georgetown and Norval,” said
Mr. Arnott. “I share those concerns and I tabled a resolution in the House last fall to draw attention
to the problem. It’s still on the Order Paper.”
Mr. Arnott reminded the Minister that the Town of Halton Hills has asked the MTO to partner with the
Town on a study to examine the problem, and even offered to cover half the cost of the study.
“Will the Minister commit to partnering with the Town of Halton Hills to carry out this study and work
together with us to find a long-term solution?” Mr. Arnott asked.
“We’re still having an internal discussion about that very specific funding support request from
Halton Hills,” the Minister replied. “Again, as soon as we have an update with respect to that
particular item, we’re happy to share it.”
Mr. Arnott was not entirely satisfied with the Minister’s replies.
“I was hoping the Minister would provide direct answers to our questions,” Mr. Arnott said afterward.
“The meeting took place in January. Surely he should have completed his review of both matters by
now.”
(Attached: Hansard record of Mr. Arnott’s questions and the Minister of Transportation’s responses,
June 8, 2016)
– 30 –
Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org
Ontario Hansard – 08-June2016
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Mr. Ted Arnott: My question is for the Minister of Transportation. As the minister will recall, on
January 20, town of Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette and staff, Regional Chair Gary Carr and I met
with him to discuss transportation issues in the town of Halton Hills.
At that meeting, the minister indicated that while the GTA West Corridor study had been put on hold, he
would have an update for us soon. That was almost five months ago now, which begs the question: How
does the minister define the word “soon”?
The uncertainty surrounding the GTA West Corridor study is impacting the ability of the town of Halton
Hills to plan for the future. Our riding was opposed to alternative 4-3 and we need to know where this is
going.
Will the minister explain the holdup, inform the House of the status of the GTA West Corridor study and
tell us when he is going to be making a public announcement of what’s going to happen next?
Hon. Steven Del Duca: I appreciate the question from the member from Wellington-Halton Hills. I
remember that meeting that he asked for with partners from the municipalities in his particular area. It was
a great meeting; in fact, not the first meeting that I have had the privilege to take part in with that
particular member who is a very strong advocate, I will admit, of course, for his community.
As we said, I believe it was last December when we were pausing the environmental assessment on this
particular project, a project that began more than a decade ago. I think every member in this House would
recognize that the world of transportation and transportation planning has changed dramatically over the
last decade, and I suspect will continue to change and transform in the next number of years and decades.
As soon as we have completed the review internally that’s being undertaken currently, we will provide a
public update.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Mr. Ted Arnott: At the January 20 meeting, we also discussed the need to find a solution to the problem
of truck traffic along Highway 7, including the possibility of an Acton bypass.
There are serious concerns which have been expressed by the town council and residents about the ever-
increasing truck traffic along Highway 7 in Acton, as well as in Georgetown and Norval. I share those
concerns and I tabled a resolution in this House last fall to draw attention to the problem. It’s still on the
order paper.
The town of Halton Hills has offered to partner with the MTO on a study to examine the problem and
come up with a long-term solution. The town has even offered to cover half the cost of the study.
Will the minister commit to partnering with the town of Halton Hills to carry out this study and work
together with us to find a long-term solution?
Hon. Steven Del Duca: I thank the member for his follow-up question.
I am always happy and the Ministry of Transportation is always happy, to work with members on all sides
of this House and our municipal partners to find appropriate solutions to the challenges we face. I know
the ministry-we’re still having an internal discussion about that very specific funding support request from
Halton Hills. Again, as soon as we have an update with respect to that particular item, we’re happy to
share it.
While I have the opportunity, I also once again congratulate that member and our members from Guelph
and from the Hamilton area, because not that many weeks ago we approved the Morriston bypass, a
significant infrastructure project in that member’s community.