Ontario and Ottawa have come to an agreement to move forward with the province’s Highway 413 project, ending a longstanding dispute between the Ford and Trudeau governments. The proposed 52-kilometre highway will connect Milton and Vaughan.
Provincial Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced plans to begin procurement for key interchanges of the project, with the goal of starting construction soon. This development follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the province and Ottawa to address environmental concerns in areas under federal jurisdiction.
Previously, the Impact Assessment Act process had prevented Ontario from starting construction without federal approval. The province had accused the federal government of overreach in subjecting the project to federal review under the act.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled parts of the Impact Assessment Act unconstitutional, with Justice Malcolm Rowe criticizing Ottawa for using the act to block projects like Highway 413 due to climate change concerns.
While the project aims to improve public transit in the York, Peel, and Halton regions, some environmental groups oppose it, citing concerns about urban sprawl, farmland destruction, and harm to vulnerable species.
Despite opposition, Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault emphasized that the agreement will ensure the protection of at-risk species. Minister Sarkaria highlighted the project’s importance in addressing traffic congestion caused by population growth.
The collaboration between Canada and Ontario demonstrates their ability to work together while respecting shared jurisdiction over environmental matters. This agreement offers clarity on the review process for the Highway 413 Project, paving the way for its implementation.
Overall, the agreement reflects the importance of infrastructure development in addressing the needs of drivers and the growing population. Ontario’s commitment to environmental protection and collaboration with the federal government marks a significant step forward in advancing the Highway 413 project.
The Canadian Press and Tara MacIsaac contributed to this report.
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