By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON May 8, 2011 – Members of Burlington Council will be at Queen’s Park May 9 to support a petition from more than 3,000 people opposed to building a highway across a rural stretch of the Niagara Escarpment.
Burlington MPP Joyce Savoline and Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh will present a petition against a proposed transportation corridor from Niagara to the GTA to the Legislative
Assembly of Ontario. Mayor Rick Goldring, Ward 3 Councillor John Taylor and Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster will sit in the visitors gallery of the Legislature supporting the petition, and will be joined by Lowville resident Janie Moorse who collected signatures from homes and businesses throughout Burlington.
“This is not just about Burlington, this is about Halton Region and beyond,” Moorse said. “The rural area of Burlington is Halton’s playground, and contains the Bruce Trail, which is used by hikers from around the world. The area is a destination for cyclists, rock climbers, photographers, equestrians and wildlife enthusiasts. It contains historic farms and cemeteries dating back to the 1800s.”
Early map showing possible highway development route. Burlington wants nothing to do with this plan – but there are many who think a new highway is inevitable.
In October 2010, the province modified Halton Region’s official plan, the document that maps out what growth can happen and where, placing a proposed transportation corridor across escarpment lands in rural Burlington. In response, Councillors Taylor and Lancaster hosted a public meeting in December 2010 with more than 800 people attending.
Following the meeting, the city joined with a coalition of seven citizen groups to oppose the proposed escarpment highway. In February 2011, the province announced that the proposed route would no longer appear on the region’s official plan.
Mayor Rick Goldring
“I am pleased to be here with my colleagues, Councillors Taylor and Lancaster, who have successfully worked with the community to ensure this world biosphere reserve is protected for generations to come. We can celebrate our success as a community while realizing that more work is to be done to ensure our escarpment lands are protected.”
Councillor Blair Lancaster pointed out that: “This is an important message we are sending to the provincial government. The people of Burlington are serious about protecting this escarpment land, and will work with government to make sure it happens.”
Hundreds of these signs dotted the back roads of north Burlington. The locals do not want any road cutting through “their” community.
Councillor John Taylor added that: “The city will continue to partner with citizens and community groups to protect the Niagara Escarpment. Burlington is committed to protect the escarpment lands, the rural countryside, prime agricultural land and the Greenbelt from urban development.”
It is not unusual for council members to grow their careers and move on to higher levels of government. Taylor will not want to become a provincial MP but Lancaster and Goldring – just might be looking at the seats Joyce Savoline and Ted Chudleigh have occupied and decide that they like the look of the Legislature more than a Council Chamber.
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