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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 14 ,2 01 7 | 2 travel through part of north Peel - he left munici- palities, landowners, envi- ronmentalists and other interested parties in limbo. Documents now ob- tained by the Ontario Pro- gressive Conservative (PC) Party through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests show the government has so far spent more than $14 million on the environ- mental assessment process that was halted to reassess a project many now sus- pect the Liberals may nev- er put back on the road. "To suggest that you would get essentially three quarters of the way through an environmental assessment and be willing to walk away from $14 mil- lion is just an example of such waste," said Dufferin- Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones. Jones is the PC infra- structure critic and filed the FOI request earlier this year to find out how much the government has spent on EA work conducted for this proposal. Jones, who represents communities the roadway is proposed to pass through, said she has heard all too clearly munic- ipal frustration with the government's prolonged assessment suspension. Municipal development planning and landowners along the proposed route have been frozen in uncer- tainty for two years, she ex- plained. "In Caledon, I can point to specific farms that are saying 'we need to know where this is going to be and if it's going to be, so we can plan,'" she remarked. At the time, Del Duca put a stop to the EA, he said the project was undergoing an internal review and lat- er formed an advisory pan- el to assess potential alter- natives to the proposal. At the end of November, the ministry quietly posted online that the panel's re- port had been submitted and the government would respond in 60 days. While there were those frustrated by the EA sus- pension, conservationists applauded. It is widely thought the government's commitment to the long-proposed high- way is no longer compati- ble with the Liberal gov- ernment's focus on protect- ing the environment, fight- ing climate change and transportation technology innovation. "Be straight with peo- ple," remarked Jones. "If you're going to actually stop it, then stop it." Suspension of an EA three-quarters finished is unprecedented, according to Jones, who also noted the completion of an envi- ronmental assessment doesn't obligate the gov- ernment to move forward with the project. According the minis- ter's office, the government has also spent $217,480 on the advisory panel report - $161,091 was provided in re- muneration for panel members and $56,389 paid for professional services to support panel's analysis and report. The PC election plat- form recently released by Leader Patrick Brown in- cluded a commitment to complete the EA. PEEL REGION l Continued from page 1 Patrick Brown is committed to completing the EA Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones speaks with Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown in legislature. Jones is the PC infrastructure critic and filed a FOI request to find out how much the government has spent on the suspended Environmental Assessment for the proposed GTA-West highway project. Ontario legislature photo Title Headline Copy contact us For special requirements, or to provide road Work haltonhills.ca HOLIDAY CLOSURE 2017 Municipal Holiday ScHEdulE TOWN HALL - 905-873-2600 Town Hall will close for the holidays Friday, December 22, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. and will re-open on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. ACTIVAN ActiVan Service will be available on an after-hours basis. The booking office will be closed on Monday December 25, Tuesday December 26, 2017 and Monday January 1, 2018. CANINE CONTROL - 905-877-6235 FIRE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS - 905-877-1133 Administration will close for the holidays Friday, December 22, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. and will re-open on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES - PUBLIC WORKS Public Works After-Hours Contact 905-873-2600 - press 2 to connect to the Public Works After-Hours Line and follow the prompts. PUBLIC LIBRARY 905-873-2681 Closed: December 24, 25, 26, 31, January 1 RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT Gellert Community Centre December 24 - Regular Schedule Cancelled. Lane swim 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Leisure swim 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. December 25 & 26 - Closed December 27 - Open Regular Schedule plus 2:00-3:00 p.m. Leisure swim December 28 - Open Regular Schedule plus additional 2:00-3:00 p.m. Leisure swim December 29 - Open Regular Schedule plus additional 2:00-3:00 p.m. Leisure swim December 30 - Open Regular Schedule plus additional 2:00-3:00 p.m. Leisure swim December 31 - Regular Schedule Cancelled. Lane swim 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Leisure swim 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. January 1 - Closed January 2 - 5 - Open Regular Schedule plus additional 2:00-3:00 p.m. Leisure swim Regular admission fee applies Acton Indoor Pool December 24, 25 & 26 - CLOSED December 27, 28, 29, 30 - Open Regular Schedule PLUS 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Leisure swim December 31 & January 1 - CLOSED January 2 - 5 - Open Regular Schedule plus additional 2:00-3:00 p.m. Leisure swim Regular admission fee applies Acton Arena & Community Centre & Mold-Masters SportsPlex December 24 - Open until noon December 25 - Closed December 26 - Closed December 27 - 30 - Open December 31 - Open until noon January 1 - Closed *December 27-29 public skating 2:00-3:20 p.m. FREE-Sponsored by Acton Rotary Club (ACC) & Optimist Club of Halton Hills (MMSP) *January 2 - 5 public skating 2:00 - 3:20 p.m. Regular admission fee applies Hillsview Active Living Centre - Georgetown December 23 - Open until noon December 24 - January 1 - Closed January 2 - Open Hillsview Active Living Centre - Acton December 25, 26, - Closed December 27, 28 & 29 - Open January 1 - Closed Halton Hills Cultural Centre - Helson Gallery & JET Box office December 24 - Open until noon December 25 & 26 - Closed December 27 - 30 - Open December 31 - Open until noon January 1 - Closed FOR EMERGENCIES - FIRE/POLICE/AMBULANCE: DIAL 911 151 haltonhills.ca