HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-03Clarftwn
Electronic Council Communications Information
Package
Date: January 3, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM
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Alternate Format: If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the
Accessibility Coordinator, at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131.
Members of Council: In accordance with the Procedural By-law, please advise the Municipal Clerk
at clerks@clarington.net, if you would like to include one of these items on the next regular agenda
of the appropriate Standing Committee, along with the proposed resolution for disposition of the
matter. Items will be added to the agenda if the Municipal Clerk is advised by Wednesday at noon
the week prior to the appropriate meeting, otherwise the item will be included on the agenda for the
next regularly scheduled meeting of the applicable Committee.
Members of the Public: can speak to an ECCIP item as a delegation. If you would like to be a
delegation at a meeting, please visit the Clarington website.
January 3, 2025
Electronic Council Communications Information Package (ECCIP)
Pages
1. Region of Durham Correspondence
2. Durham Municipalities Correspondence
3. Other Municipalities Correspondence
3.1 The Municipality of Kincardine - Property Taxation Implications Related 3
to Non -Market Valuation of Electricity Industry Properties - December 11,
2024
3.2 City of Vaughan - Endorsement of Feasibility Study for Highway 407 - 4
December 17, 2024
3.3 City of Toronto - Declaring Toronto a Paid -Plasma -Free Zone - 23
December 20, 2024
4. Provincial / Federal Government and their Agency Correspondence
5. Miscellaneous Correspondence
Page 2
Council Meeting
Motion #
Title:
Date:
Tire MUNICIPALITY Or
_, VINCARDINr-
great energy. balanced life.
12/11/24 - 02
Property Taxation Implications Related to Non -Market Valuation of Electricity
Industry Properties, CAO General-2024-33
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Moved by: Rory Cavanagh
Seconded by: Beth Blackwell
Whereas the Municipality of Kincardine is a proud host community of the Bruce Nuclear Generating
Site where Bruce Power generates 30% of Ontario's electricity needs; and
Whereas two decades ago the Province of Ontario adopted a property tax assessment model that
continues to apply to Ontario's nuclear generation facilities; and
Whereas the Province assessment model includes non -market property valuation for electricity
generating properties; and
Whereas the Municipality of Kincardine undertook a study in 2024 which has shown that the Provincial
assessment model is compromising fairness and shifting the tax burden away from the electricity
industry properties and onto the broader property tax base within the host community; and
Whereas the study demonstrated that this is primarily attributable to the assessed value of the subject
properties being held almost static over several reassessment cycles, resulting from the Provincially
prescribed rules for electricity generating, transmission and distribution properties; and
Whereas the Provincial model results in a disparity between the continuously updated market values
assigned to the majority of properties and the static, non -market -based formula applied to electricity
industry properties means that the tax burden shifts onto non -industry taxpayers; and
Now Therefore be it Resolved That municipal staff be directed to send communication to the Premier
of Ontario, Minister of Energy and Electrification, the Minister of Finance, and the local MPP, to request
that the Province undertake an immediate review and update the property tax assessment model for
Ontario's nuclear generation facilities and other properties within the electricity industry, and copy the
Association of Municipalities of Ontario and all Ontario Municipalities.
Carried.
Jennifer Lawrie
Clerk
Page 3
From: Clerks(cavauahan.ca
To: ClerksExternalEmail; Gallagher. June
Subject: Item 15, Committee of the Whole, Report No. 41 - Council, December 17, 2024
Date: January 2, 2025 8:17:54 AM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from clerks@vaughan.ca. Learn why this is
important
EXTERNAL
Sent on behalf of Isabel Leung, Deputy City Clerk & Manager, Administrative Services
June Gallagher, Municipal Clerk
Municipality of Clarington
40 Temperance St.
Bowmanville, ON L1 C 3A6
Dear June Gallagher,
RE: ENDORSEMENT OF FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR HIGHWAY 407
Linked for your information is Item 15, Report No. 41, of the Committee of the Whole,
which was adopted, as amended, by the Council of the City of Vaughan on December
17, 2024.
I draw your attention to Recommendation #3: That this resolution be circulated to all
municipalities that host a portion of Highway 407;
To assist us in responding to inquiries, please quote the item and report
number.
Sincerely,
Isabel Leung
Deputy City Clerk & Manager, Administrative Services
905-832-8504 1 clerks&vaughan.ca
City of Vaughan I Office of the City Clerk
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr., Vaughan, ON L6A 1T1
vaughan.ca
This e-mail, including any attachment(s), may be confidential and is intended solely for the
attention and information of the named addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or
have received this message in error, please notify me immediately by return e-mail and
permanently delete the original transmission from your computer, including any attachment(s).
Any unauthorized distribution, disclosure or copying of this message and attachment(s) by
anyone other than the recipient is strictly prohibited.
Page 4
CITY OF VAUGHAN
EXTRACT FROM COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2024
Item 15, Report No. 41, of the Committee of the Whole, which was adopted, as amended,
by the Council of the City of Vaughan on December 17, 2024:
By receiving the following Communications:
C1. Elias, dated December 2, 2024;
C2. Adrian C. Johnson, Associum, Concorde Gate, dated December 2, 2024;
C3. Jean-Frangois, dated December 2, 2024;
C4. Canada 1995, dated December 2, 2024;
C5. Che Guerrera, dated December 2, 2024;
C6. John Cutler, Kleinburg & Area Ratepayers' Association (KARA), dated
December 2, 2024;
C7. Josephine, dated December 2, 2024;
C10. Laurie R., dated December 3, 2024;
C11. Mario Marmora, South Maple Ratepayers, dated December 3, 2024;
C19. Kurt Kroesen, Hampton Rd, Toronto, dated December 3, 2024;
C23. Louisa Santoro, dated December 6, 2024;
C24. Eddy Aced, Tracie Crt., Maple, dated December 6, 2024;
C25. Cliff Nordal, Maple, dated December 6, 2024;
C26. Kevin Russell, dated December 8, 2024;
C27. Marinka Nupoort, Gosling Rd., Vaughan, dated December 8, 2024;
C28. Claudio Cellucci, Cellucci + Pace Inc., Rowntree Dairy Rd., Woodbridge,
dated December 9, 2024;
C31. Elsa Leggieri, dated December 10, 2024;
C32. Melanie Duckett -Wilson, dated December 10, 2024;
C36. Andre Willi, dated December 10, 2024;
C37. Che Guerrera, dated December 11, 2024;
C38. Robert Pizzola, dated December 11, 2024;
C39. Adam De Luca, dated December 11, 2024;
C40. Bob Moroz, Kilmuir Gate, Woodbridge, dated December 17, 2024;
C41. Susan Sigrist and Mark Hubbard, dated December 12, 2024;
C42. Joseph and Margaret Gianna, dated December 12, 2024;
C43. Marina K., dated December 12, 2024;
C44. Donna Rotondo, Treelawn Blvd., Kleinburg, dated December 12, 2024;
C45. Francine and Marianna Fiordimondo, dated December 12, 2024;
C46. Nicki Tantalo, dated December 13, 2024;
C48. Sherry Draisey, dated December 13, 2024;
C49. Louise Brownlee and Carole Holmes, Grandmothers Act to Save the Planet
(GASP), dated December 13, 2024;
C50. Eva and Joe Petrillo, Renwick Place, Maple, dated December 14, 2024;
C51. George Adorante, dated December 14, 2024;
C52. Roland Gatti, Donbay Drive, Kleinburg, dated December 15, 2024;
C53. Tony Malfara, dated December 15, 2024;
C54. Hon. Deb Schulte, Mira Vista Place, Woodbridge, dated December 16, 2024;
.../5
Page 5
CITY OF VAUGHAN
EXTRACT FROM COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2024
Item 15, CW Report 41 — Page 2
C55. Sara Bonaguro, dated December 16, 2024;
C56. Sharon Sommerville, 25 Sideroad, Mono, dated December 16, 2024;
C57. Michael A. DiMuccio, dated December 16, 2024;
C58. Sara Bonaguro, dated December 16, 2024;
C59. Marcella Di Rocco, dated December 16, 2024;
C60. Jean-Frangois Obregon, Laurel Valley Court, dated December 16, 2024;
C61. Neil Iddon, Associum, Concorde Gate, dated December 16, 2024;
C62. N. Iddon, dated December 16, 2024;
C63. Martha Bell, Dar Share and Shirley Yung, Woodbridge Pollinator Group,
dated December 16, 2024;
C64. Kim Bradshaw, dated December 16, 2024; and
C65. Sandra Beh/ok, dated December 16, 2024.
15. ENDORSEMENT OF FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR HIGHWAY 407
The Committee of the Whole recommends:
1) That the recommendations contained in the following
resolution of Councillor Marilyn lafrate and Councillor
Rosanna DeFrancesca dated December 3, 2024, be approved;
2) That comments from the following speakers be received:
1. Peter Miasek, Transport Action Ontario, Normandale
Road, Markham;
2. Andre Willi, Strategic Benefits, Ampezzo Avenue,
Vaughan;
3. Sharon Sommerville, Headwaters Supports The 407, 25
Side Road, Mono;
4. Susan Robertson, McNabb Street, Georgetown; and
5. Sonia Fiorini, Appian Way, Vaughan; and
3) That the following Communications be received:
C1. Denise Presutti, Arran Crescent, Woodbridge, dated
November 27, 2024;
C2. Louisa Santoro, resident of Kleinburg, dated November
28, 2024;
C3. Marinka Nupoort, Gosling Road, Vaughan, dated
November 29, 2024;
C7. Kathryn Angus, dated November 29, 2024;
C8. Marsha Lomis, Kleinburg, dated November 29, 2024;
C12. Brian Skerrett, Ash Street, Eden Mills, dated December
1, 2024;
/5
Page 6
CITY OF VAUGHAN
EXTRACT FROM COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2024
Item 15, CW Report 41 — Page 3
C13. Sharon Blom, Ash Street, Eden Mills, dated December 1,
2024;
C14. Marilyn Baxter, Rockwood, dated December 1, 2024;
C15. Tiffany Lee, resident of Toronto, dated December 1,
2024;
C16. Cherilyn Spraakman, Newmarket, dated December 1,
2024;
C17. Melanie Duckett -Wilson, dated December 1, 2024;
C18. Teresa Ganna Porter, Revell Road, Newmarket, dated
December 1, 2024;
C19. Ron Corkum, Lewes Way, Mississauga, dated November
30, 2024;
C20. Tony Malfara, dated December 2, 2024;
C21. Roland Gatti, Donbay Drive, Vaughan, dated November
30, 2024;
C22. Angela Grella (Ward 3), dated November 30, 2024;
C23. Enza Pizzola, Vaughan Mills Road, Woodbridge, dated
November 30, 2024;
C24. Robert Pizzola, Vaughan Mills Road, Woodbridge, dated
November 30, 2024;
C25. Claire Malcolmson, The Alliance for Liveable Ontario,
York Region, dated December 2, 2024;
C26. Victoria Creese, Stouffville, dated December 2, 2024;
C27. Bob Moroz, Kilmuir Gate, Woodbridge, dated December
2, 2024;
C28. John Diebolt, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, dated
December 2, 2024;
C29. Paul Toffoletti, Burlington, dated December 2, 2024;
C30. Neil Iddon, ASSOCIUM, Concorde Gate, Toronto, dated
December 2, 2024;
C31. Sara Bonaguro, resident of Bolton, dated December 2,
2024;
C32. Dan Shire, Radom Street, Pickering, dated December 2,
2024;
C33. Silvana Cantalini, Vice President, rfidcanada, dated
December 2, 2024;
C34. Janet Wenckstern, dated December 2, 2024;
C35. Sandra Behlok, Sandra Behlok Insurance Agency Ltd.,
Steeles Avenue West, Woodbridge, dated December 2,
2024; and
C36. Karen McKillop, Pickering, dated December 2, 2024.
.../5
Page 7
CITY OF VAUGHAN
EXTRACT FROM COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2024
Item 15, CW Report 41 — Page 3
Member's Resolution
Submitted by Councillor Marilyn lafrate and Councillor Rosanna
DeFrancesca
Whereas, in 1998, Premier Mike Harris passed Bill 70, allowing the sale of
Highway 407 to a private consortium on a 99-year lease, enabling the
consortium to set its own toll rates and,
Whereas, privatization has led to significant toll increases over the years,
limiting the use of Highway 407 by Vaughan residents and causing high
traffic volumes on local roads and,
Whereas, high tolls disproportionately affect low- and mid -income
Vaughan residents who rely on the Highway for commuting to work and,
Whereas, trucking companies avoid Highway 407 due to its tolls, leading
to high volumes of trucks on Vaughan roads, particularly on Highway 7 as
well as Highway 401 and,
Whereas, York Region statistics show approximately 100,000 vehicles
travel between Jane Street and Weston Road, in which almost 10%
consists of trucks and,
Whereas, a Transport Action Ontario study suggests a toll subsidy for
trucks could increase truck usage of Highway 407, reducing volume on
Highway 401 by 12,000-21,000 trucks per day and,
Whereas, prevailing logic would see a reduction of truck traffic on
Highway 7, which runs parallel to Highway 407, which is just a few
kilometers away and,
Whereas, subsidizing truck lanes on Highway 407 would facilitate faster
delivery of goods, reduce transport costs for Vaughan businesses, and
support local economic development and,
Whereas, a pilot project to subsidize truck lanes on Highway 407 would
provide valuable insights into the economic impact of diverting truck traffic
from Highway 7 and Highway 401 and,
Whereas, this pilot program would allow the government to conduct a
cost -benefit analysis measuring potential savings in lost productivity,
reduced vehicle operating costs, and increased efficiency for Vaughan
businesses using Highway 407 and,
.../5
CITY OF VAUGHAN
EXTRACT FROM COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2024
Item 15, CW Report 41 — Page 4
Whereas, toll revenues from Highway 407 currently benefit private
entities, while Vaughan residents continue to face high costs and
unnecessary traffic volumes and,
Whereas, potentially purchasing Highway 407 back would eliminate profit -
driven motives, allowing for toll rates to reflect public interest rather than
corporate profit and,
Whereas, lower tolls from public ownership would increase highway
usage, alleviate traffic on other highways, and generate revenue through
increased usage and,
Whereas, at the start of this term, the Mayor and Council have made it
their priority to work towards reducing gridlock and "Getting Vaughan
moving again".
It is therefore recommended:
That this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario and the
Minister of Transportation endorsing a feasibility study assessing
the financial and logistical implications of buying back the lease for
Highway 407 and,
2. That the provincial government be asked to implement a one-year
pilot program that will subsidize or eliminate tolls dedicated truck
lanes on Highway 407, evaluating their impact on traffic congestion
and overall transportation efficiency and,
3. That this resolution be circulated to all municipalities that host a
portion of Highway 407 and,
4. That local MPPs for Vaughan be provided a copy of this resolution.
Page 9
11'
` VAUGHAN
MEMBER'S RESOLUTION
Committee of the Whole (1)
DATE: Tuesday, December 03, 2024
TITLE: ENDORSEMENT OF FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR HIGHWAY 407
FROM:
Councillor Marilyn lafrate
Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca
Whereas, in 1998, Premier Mike Harris passed Bill 70, allowing the sale of Highway
407 to a private consortium on a 99-year lease, enabling the consortium to set its own
toll rates and,
Whereas, privatization has led to significant toll increases over the years, limiting the
use of Highway 407 by Vaughan residents and causing high traffic volumes on local
roads and,
Whereas, high tolls disproportionately affect low- and mid -income Vaughan residents
who rely on the Highway for commuting to work and,
Whereas, trucking companies avoid Highway 407 due to its tolls, leading to high
volumes of trucks on Vaughan roads, particularly on Highway 7 as well as Highway 401
and,
Whereas, York Region statistics show approximately 100,000 vehicles travel between
Jane Street and Weston Road, in which almost 10% consists of trucks and,
Whereas, a Transport Action Ontario study suggests a toll subsidy for trucks could
increase truck usage of Highway 407, reducing volume on Highway 401 by 12,000-
21,000 trucks per day and,
Whereas, prevailing logic would see a reduction of truck traffic on Highway 7, which
runs parallel to Highway 407, which is just a few kilometers away and,
Item 15
Page 1 of 3
Page 10
Whereas, subsidizing truck lanes on Highway 407 would facilitate faster delivery of
goods, reduce transport costs for Vaughan businesses, and support local economic
development and,
Whereas, a pilot project to subsidize truck lanes on Highway 407 would provide
valuable insights into the economic impact of diverting truck traffic from Highway 7 and
Highway 401 and,
Whereas, this pilot program would allow the government to conduct a cost -benefit
analysis measuring potential savings in lost productivity, reduced vehicle operating
costs, and increased efficiency for Vaughan businesses using Highway 407 and,
Whereas, toll revenues from Highway 407 currently benefit private entities, while
Vaughan residents continue to face high costs and unnecessary traffic volumes and,
Whereas, potentially purchasing Highway 407 back would eliminate profit -driven
motives, allowing for toll rates to reflect public interest rather than corporate profit and,
Whereas, lower tolls from public ownership would increase highway usage, alleviate
traffic on other highways, and generate revenue through increased usage and,
Whereas, at the start of this term, the Mayor and Council have made it their priority to
work towards reducing gridlock and "Getting Vaughan moving again".
It is therefore recommended:
1. That this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of
Transportation endorsing a feasibility study assessing the financial and logistical
implications of buying back the lease for Highway 407 and,
2. That the provincial government be asked to implement a one-year pilot program
that will subsidize or eliminate tolls dedicated truck lanes on Highway 407,
evaluating their impact on traffic congestion and overall transportation efficiency
and,
3. That this resolution be circulated to all municipalities that host a portion of
Highway 407 and,
4. That local MPPs for Vaughan be provided a copy of this resolution.
Financial and Staff Resource Impact
There is no financial impact
Item 15
Page 2 of 3
Page 11
Attachments
1. Highway 7 Traffic Data, York Region, November 4, 2024.
2. Transport Action Ontario Study, November 7, 2023.
3. Toronto Star Article October 2, 2024.
4. Inside Halton Article, October 28, 2024.
Item 15
Page 3 of 3
Page 12
Attachment 1
Average Traffic Statistics on Highway 7:
Road Section of Highway 7
AADT (Daily Volume)
Truck %
Between Yonge Street and
64,400
0.9%
Bathurst Street
Between Bathurst Street and
46,500
1 zo/ti
Dufferin Street
Between Dufferin Street and
59,600
0.8%
Keele Street
Between Keele Street and Jane
65,600
1.1%
Street
Between Jane Street and
93,800
7.9%
Highway 400
Between Highway 400 and
97.000
T8%
Weston Road
Between Weston Road and
59,500
3 6%
Pine Valley Drive
Between Pine Valley Drive and
58,900
0 6%
Islington Avenue
Between Islington Avenue and
57,700
1.3%
Highway 27
Between Highway 27 and
57,500
0.4%
Highway 427
Between Highway 427 and
81,100
5.9%
Highway 50
Statistical information provided by Roads, Traffic and Fleet, Operations and Services, York Region, November 4, 2024
Page 13
Attachment 2
I
:
Nov
07
HOME ABOUT US EVENTS ISSUES PUBLICATIONS LINKS CONTAC
:A new report has been released entitled The Freight Escape; How to Get
Trucks Off the 401 Without Dlou4ng a Hole in the Greenbelt.
This report was commissioned by Environcuenral Defence with input from Transport Action
Ontario and you can accessthis report here.
The report Ends chic subsidiz4y the toll an the 407 ETR is cheaper. easier. and bertet for the
trucking indusrn= than building the proposed Highway 413. It also shows that moving trucks
from Highway 401 to rile 407 will alleviare congestion for all road users and reduce journey Times
for Truck drivers. This would also make building the proposed Higbwa�= 413 unnecessary, save
a payers at least ib billion (based on 20! 8 estimates). and conserve valuable natural spaces
including; 21RIO acres of farmland and 4110 acres of Greeribeh.
Vic Yrfc lir Escape report lin.ds rhat moving trucks to the 107 will:
• tvtove 12.000 [a 21.000 trucks 3 cLy off Hikhway 401, rcdnciiig daily cratTir tier p�s5euser
.•ehicles
• Cosc S6 billion less than constructing; the proposed Highwav 413, Subsidizing die 407
trucking tall is estimated to cosr S4 billion, which would be paid aver a a) year persad. The
Onraric, t;ovtrnmem has nor revealed a cast estimate For building Highway 413, but
05rimates Ocod in the media are as high as S10 billion
Page 14
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WHY REGISTER?
Reduce cosr andjounxey rime for truck drivers: using Highway 407 will improve journey Please wg-isrcr m k "(:%rxrrtts „u 1'CCw<
rinses for truckers by approximately 80 minutes, which would be less than half rbe length. of Po't'.
time than the equivalent trip on Highway 401
Conserve local natural spaces and local food producrion — including 2009 acres of farmland
and 400 acres of Greenbelt land that would be paved by Highway 413.
I)S C!N , C)CIALL IMEDIA!
Copyright 2018IransportAction Ontario
Page 15
Attachment 3
https://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/Ontario- con sidering-buying- back- highway- 407-prernier-
doug-ford-says/article_2452ad9e-18a1-5cd7-878b-c544G01597cf.html
ONTARIO
Ontario considering buying back
Highway 407, Premier Doug Ford
says
TORONTO -Ontario is considering buying back the tolled Highway 407, possibly in addition to building a
massive tunnel under Highway401 in a bid to ease congestion, Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday.
Updated Oct. 3, 2024 at 4:48 p.m. Oct. 2, 2024 n 11
Ontario Premier Doug Ford makes an announcement in Toronto on Friday, May 24, 2024. Ford says his
government is considering buying back Highway 407.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
CKL
Page 16
By Allison Jones and Liam Casey The Canadian Press
TORONTO - Ontario is considering buying back the tolled Highway 407, possibly in
addition to building a massive tunnel under Highway 401 in a bid to ease
congestion, Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday.
The Mike Harris Progressive Conservative government sold Highway 407 in 1999
for $3.1 billion dollars to a consortium that included SNC Lavalin, Quebec's
provincial pension fund and Spanish company Ferrovial.
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 50.01 per cent of 407 ETR,
which runs the highway that goes across the Greater Toronto Area.
Ford has already tasked transportation officials with conducting a feasibility study
on digging a tunnel under Highway 401 for traffic and transit going across the GTA,
saying gridlock costs the economy $11 billion a year.
The premier has repeatedly said he will forge ahead with the tunnel regardless of
the study's outcome, framing it as looking at how - not if - it can be done.
Critics have questioned the amount of money and time that would need to be spent
on a project like that, and when asked Wednesday at a news conference whether
Ontario could instead buy back Highway 407 to get more cars off Highway 401 at a
lower price, Ford did not rule it out.
"All options are on the table - maybe both options," he said. "We'll do the feasibility
study. We'll look at the 407 and see exactly which way are we going.."
A spokesperson for 407 ETR said the province has not engaged them in any
discussions on the topic.
The province still owns a 22-kilometre stretch on Highway 407's eastern flank and
tolls drivers at a significantly cheaper rate than the private portion of the highway.
On Wednesday, Ford lamented the high cost for drivers using Highway 407. While
his government has removed tolls on highways 412 and 418, he has not so far
indicated he would remove tolls on the provincially owned section of Highway 407
East.
A Ministry of Transportation report in 2021 projected those tolls would be giving
the province around $72 million in revenue in 2024-25.
Ford also said he has asked construction unions and companies whether it would
be better to build a new road over top of the existing Highway 401 instead of digging
a tunnel, and he said they both said no.
"You'd have to shut down the 401 totally if you did build on top of it," he said. "The
maintenance would be a nightmare. Evep.g�g1W, it would end up looking like the
Gardiner (Expressway), that concrete would be falling down."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2024,
REPORT AN ERROR JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS ABOUT TW E STAR
Page 18
Attachment 4
https://www.insidehafton.corn/news/should-ontario-buy-back-highway-407-as-premier-doug-ford-suggests-ta-
ease-commuter-pain/article-8f 14f6c5-7471-55ed-b387-e422fa 1d095f.html
NEWS
Should Ontario buyback Highway 407 as Premier
Doug Ford suggests to ease commuter pain?
The hot -button topic of ownership of Hwy. 407 is being served up, in addition to building a new highway with a tunnel
through the most congested areas of the GTA. Tell us what you think by taking our poll.
By Bruce Froude Insidehaltoncom
Oct 4, 2024
Article was updated Oct 28, 2024
Page 19
Susie Kockerscheidt Metroland file photo
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says buying back Highway 407could help alleviate traffic congestion in the GTA.
Everybody in the GTA gets stuck in traffic, but Ontario Premier Doug Ford is thinking of an option
that could ease commuter pain — buying back the tolled Highway 407.
"Wouldn't it be great if we could even get over 50 kilometres an hour on the 401 in rush hour
through the city?" he asked reporters during a press conference in East York on Wednesday, Oct.
2.
The hot -button topic of ownership of Hwy. 407 was front and centre, with buying it back served up
in addition to building a new highway with a tunnel through the most congested areas of the GTA.
Whenasked' whether Ontariocou!W purchase Hwy. 407 at a lower price to remove more cars from,
Hwy. 401, the premier quickly replied.
"All options are onthe table — maybe both options," he said. " U 011 do the feasibility study. We'll
look at the 407 and' see exactly which way are we going."
Highway 407 isn't popular in Durham Region, or other areas, because of high tolls. The hope was the highway
would serve as relief from the high traffic volumes on Hwy. 401, but that hasn't been the case.
Metroland file photo
4
Page 20
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Most days, drivers on Hwy. 401 are going nowhere fast, and the economy is bearing the brunt.
According to a statement by Ford, the financial cost to the Ontario economy has been estimated at
more than $11 billion in lost productivity annually.
In September, the Toronto Region Board of Trade Ipsos poll revealed that 53 per cent of residents
contemplate relocation due to traffic congestion, while 62 per cent are reluctant to travel to work.
Does it make sense for the province to buy back Highway 407?
Q Yes, it's too expensive to use
Q No, it would be too expensive.
Q Don't care because I don't ever take the highway
Vote View Results
"We basically have one route going east and west," said Ford, "The city is growing so quick, the
region is growing so quick; it's (Hwy. 401) pretty well at capacity now. But the 407 will be at
capacity in 20 years or so. We have to think 20, 30,40 years down the road." 0
The Mike Harris government sold the toll highway in 1999 for $3 billion.
Related Stories
Page 21
Premier Doug Ford says getting rid of Hwy. 407 tolls, a'great question, a fantastic question' and
doesn't ru le out quick action on move
Bruce Froude is an online editor for Metroland. He can be reached at
bfroude@durhamregion.com
REPORTAN ERROR JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS ABOUT US
1
Page 22
9TOROWO
City Clerk's Office
(Sent by Email)
December 20, 2024
ALL ONTARIO MUNICIPALITIES:
John D. Elvidge
Citv Clerk
Secretariat
Tel: 416-392-7032
Sylwia Przezdziecki
Fax:416-392-2980
Council Secretariat Support
City Hall,1211 Floor,West
e-mail:
1000.ueen Street West
Sylwia.Przezdziecki@toronto.ca
Toronto, Ontario M5H 21\12
web: www.to ro nto. c a
In reply please quote:
Ref.: 24-MM23.1
Subject: Member Motion Item 23.1
Declaring Toronto a Paid -Plasma -Free Zone - by Councillor Chris Moise,
seconded by Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Ward All)
City Council on November 13 and 14, 2024, adopted Item MM23.1 and in doing so, has forward
this item to Canadian Blood Services, federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Health,
Grifols Pharmaceuticals, and all Ontario Municipalities and requested that they support only
voluntary blood and plasma collection, where donors do not receive payment for their blood or
plasma.
Yours sincerely,
for City Clerk
S. Przezdziecki/mp
Attachment
Sent to: All Ontario Municipalities
Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Blood Services
Chief Executive Officer, Grifols Canada
C. City Manager
Page 23
N TORONTO
City Council
Member Motions - Meeting 23
IMM23.1 ACTION Adopted Ward: All
Declaring Toronto a Paid -Plasma -Free Zone - by Councillor Chris
Moise, seconded by Councillor Alejandra Bravo
City Council Decision
City Council on November 13 and 14, 2024, adopted the following:
1. City Council express its opposition to the operation of private for -profit blood collection
companies in the City.
2. City Council forward this item to Canadian Blood Services, federal, provincial and territorial
Ministers of Health, Grifols Pharmaceuticals, and all Ontario Municipalities and request that
they support only voluntary blood and plasma collection, where donors do not receive payment
for their blood or plasma.
Summary
In the City of Toronto, we uphold the principle of voluntary blood and plasma donation,
acknowledging its vital importance as a public good. Our commitment derives from the lessons
of Canada's tainted blood crisis, which tragically claimed approximately 8,000 lives. The
subsequent Royal Krever Commission urged a fully voluntary, non-payment oriented blood and
plasma donation system.
Within our Ontario healthcare system, we perceive blood donations as a priceless public
resource, underscoring the need to safeguard the integrity of the public, voluntary donor
system.
The Voluntary Blood Donations Act of Ontario strengthens this stance, legislating against the
payment of donors and prohibiting donors from receiving financial compensation for their
blood or plasma.
Canada Blood Services plans to open five paid plasma clinics, including one in Toronto, by
2025. This issue needs immediate attention and action. The public health community has raised
concerns about Grifols Pharmaceuticals' plans to open a Toronto clinic. It's vital we protect
vulnerable residents from exploitation by for -profit plasma collection companies offering cash
for blood -plasma, a predatory practice.
In bringing this motion forward, we strive to reinforce the principles of voluntary, non -
remunerated blood and plasma donation, protecting both the integrity of Canada's public blood
system and the dignity of blood donors.
Page 24
Background Information (City Council)
Member Motion MM23.1
(https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/mm/bgrd/back groundfile-249600.pdf)
Attachment 1 - Resolution to Declare the City of Hamilton a "No Paid Plasma Zone"
(https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/mm/bgrd/back groundfile-250144.pdf)
Page 25